03.165
Arjuna said.
Then, Hari's vehicle (Garuda), seeing me who had performed the missile-rites and was completely confident, touched my head with both hands and spoke these words. (03-165-1)
Today, even hosts of gods cannot defeat you in battle. What to speak then of humans in the mortal world, especially those who have not mastered themselves? Truly, you are immeasurable, invincible, and without equal in battles. (03-165-2)
Then the god, again, very delighted, with hair standing on end, said: "O hero, in weapon-battle there will be no one equal to you." (03-165-3)
You are ever attentive, skilful, truthful, self-controlled, devoted to the Brāhmaṇas, well-versed in weapons, heroic, O upholder of the Kuru lineage. (03-165-4)
O Pārtha, you have completely acquired fifteen weapons by five methods, and no one equal to you is to be found. (03-165-5)
You know entirely the application, withdrawal, repetition, expiation, and counteraction, O Dhananjaya. (03-165-6)
O conquering hero, the time to serve your teacher has now arrived. Therefore, make that promise to do so; I will know more. (03-165-7)
Then I said to the king of the gods, "O king, know that if this task was to be endured and done by me, it has already indeed been done." (03-165-8)
Then, O king, having smiled, the slayer of Vṛtra said to me: "Today, there is nothing in the three worlds that is insurmountable for you." (03-165-9)
Demons called the Nivātakavachās, my enemies, indeed dwell in a fortress stationed within the ocean's depths. (03-165-10)
There are three crores (thirty million), named and equal in appearance, strength, and splendor. Slay them there, O son of Kunti; it will serve a great purpose for you. (03-165-11)
Then he gave me a divine chariot of great splendor, yoked with Mātali and horses whose manes resembled peacock feathers. (03-165-12)
He fastened this excellent crown on my head and also gave an ornament for the body that matched my own form. (03-165-13)
He attached the impenetrable armor, this excellent one having the form of touch, and also joined this undecaying bowstring to Gandiva. (3-165-14)
Then I went in that splendid chariot by which the lord of the gods once conquered Bali, the son of Virocana. (03-165-15)
Then all the gods, awakened by that sound, thinking I was their king, O lord of the people, approached me; and having seen me, they asked, "What will you do, Phalguna?" (03-165-16)
I told them this exactly as it was: that I am the agent in battle. But the Nivātakavacas set out, seeking to kill me. Know this, O greatly fortunate ones, and may my wishes be for your well-being, O sinless ones. (03-165-17)
They, being pleased, praised me just as they praise the god Purandara; with this very chariot Maghavan conquered Śambara in battle—also Namuci, Bala and Vṛtra, and Prahlāda and Naraka. (03-165-18)
Maghavan (Indra) conquered many, thousands, ten million, and hundred million Daityas in battle by this chariot. (03-165-19)
O son of Kuntī, you too, by this (means), can conquer the Nivātakavacha demons in battle, exerting yourself in the fight just as Maghavan (Indra), the lord, did formerly. (03-165-20)
This is the foremost conch by which you will conquer the Dānavas. With this, even Śakra (Indra), the great-souled one, conquered the worlds. (03-165-21)
As it was being given by the gods—the divine gift arisen from water—I accepted it for victory, being praised at that time by the immortals. (03-165-22)
I have gone, holding a conch, wearing armor, carrying arrows, and taking up my bow, to the very fierce abode of the demons with the intention to fight. (03-165-23)
