Shloka 17
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
न त्वेतत् सहसा पार्थ मोक्तव्यं पुरुषे क्वचित् । जगद् विनाशयेत् सर्वमल्पतेजसि पातितम्,परंतु कुन्तीकुमार! तुम सहसा किसी पुरुषपर इसका प्रयोग न करना। यदि किसी अल्पशक्ति योद्धापर इसका प्रयोग किया गया तो यह सम्पूर्ण जगत्का नाश कर डालेगा
na tv etat sahasā pārtha moktavyaṃ puruṣe kvacit | jagad vināśayet sarvam alpatejasi pātitam ||
“Ngunit, O Pārtha, huwag mong pakakawalan ito nang padalus-dalos laban sa sinumang tao. Kapag pinakawalan ito sa isang may munting lakas—sa diwa man o sa digmaan—maaari nitong lipulin ang buong daigdig.”
भव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Immense power must be governed by dharma and restraint. A divine weapon is not to be used impulsively or against an unworthy/weak target, because disproportionate force can cause catastrophic, world-level harm.
Bhava (Śiva) instructs Pārtha (Arjuna) regarding the proper, limited use of a formidable divine weapon, warning that misapplication—especially against one of little tejas—could lead to universal destruction.