Shloka 13
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
तत्रैव मे विहरतो भुजदण्डयुग्मं गाण्डीवलक्षणमरातिवधाय देवा: । सेन्द्रा: श्रिता यदनुभावितमाजमीढ तेनाहमद्य मुषित: पुरुषेण भूम्ना ॥ १३ ॥
tatraiva me viharato bhuja-daṇḍa-yugmaṁ gāṇḍīva-lakṣaṇam arāti-vadhāya devāḥ sendrāḥ śritā yad-anubhāvitam ājamīḍha tenāham adya muṣitaḥ puruṣeṇa bhūmnā
तत्र स्वर्गे मे विहरतः सेन्द्रा देवाः गाण्डीवलक्षणं भुजदण्डयुग्मं निवातकवचवधाय आश्रिताः; आजमीढवंशज राजन्, यदनुभावितं तेन भूम्ना पुरुषेणाहमद्य मुषितः।
The heavenly demigods are certainly more intelligent, powerful and beautiful, and yet they had to take help from Arjuna because of his Gāṇḍīva bow, which was empowered by the grace of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The Lord is all-powerful, and by His grace His pure devotee can be as powerful as He may desire, and there is no limit to it. And when the Lord withdraws His power from anyone, he is powerless by the will of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows that strength is ultimately granted by the Supreme Lord; when He withdraws His support, even a mighty hero like Arjuna feels robbed of power.
After Kṛṣṇa’s departure, Arjuna experienced a sudden decline in prowess and realized that his victories were due to the Lord’s presence; he spoke to awaken the Pandavas to retire from worldly rule.
Do your duty with humility, recognizing talent and success as grace; when circumstances change, deepen devotion instead of identifying solely with capability.