Shloka 59
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
सुखं शक्रस्य भवने सर्वकामसमन्वित: । शृण्वन् वै गीतशब्दं च तूर्यशब्दं च पुष्कलम् । पश्यंश्षाप्सरस: श्रेष्ठा नृत्यन्तीर्भरतर्षभ
arjuna uvāca | sukhaṁ śakrasya bhavane sarvakāmasamanvitaḥ | śṛṇvan vai gītaśabdaṁ ca tūryaśabdaṁ ca puṣkalam | paśyan śāp-sarasaḥ śreṣṭhā nṛtyantīr bharatarṣabha ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Sa makalangit na palasyo ni Śakra, na hitik sa lahat ng kaluguran, namumuhay ang tao nang magaan—nakikinig sa tinig ng awit at sa saganang tugtugin ng mga instrumento, at minamasdan ang pinakamahuhusay na Apsaras na sumasayaw, O toro sa mga Bharata.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the allure of celestial pleasure—music, luxury, and sensual beauty—implicitly setting up an ethical contrast often explored in the epic: whether one should be captivated by enjoyment or remain steady in higher aims such as duty, self-mastery, and purposeful striving.
Arjuna describes the delights of Indra’s abode: complete comfort, the sounds of singing and instruments, and the sight of eminent Apsarases dancing—painting a vivid picture of svarga-like splendor addressed to a Bharata hero.