10.014
Pancharatra and Core: Krishna asks Arjuna to release the counterweapon to protect Bhima. Seeing the destructive power of both the weapons, sages and Narada are concerned.
Vaiśampāyana said:
By a mere gesture, Krishna, the descendant of the Dasharha, understood Arjuna's intention and, perceiving the intention of Drona's son, the mighty-armed Arjuna spoke to him.
O Arjuna, now is the time to use the divine weapon taught to you by Droṇa, which resides in your heart, O son of Pāṇḍu.
O Bhārata, for the protection of both your brothers and yourself, you too should release this missile-repelling goat-skin garment.
Thus addressed by Keśava, the son of Pāṇḍu, the destroyer of enemy heroes, quickly got down from the chariot, taking up his bow and arrows.
The scorcher of foes first offered well-wishes to the teacher's son, then to himself, to his brothers, and to all, saying 'well-being' to each.
After bowing to the deities and to the teachers in every way, and meditating on Śiva, he released the weapon, wishing that the weapon be pacified by another weapon.
Then, the weapon suddenly released by Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, blazed with immense flames, like the fire that appears at the end of the world.
In the same way, the weapon of Droṇa's son, blazing with sharp brilliance, flared up with great flames, surrounded by a sphere of radiance.
There were many thunderbolts, and thousands of meteors fell; a great fear arose among all beings.
The sky resounded and was intensely filled with garlands of flames. The whole earth, along with its mountains, forests, and trees, trembled.
Then, the great sages, being together there, showed (them) burning the worlds with the brilliance of the missile.
Nārada, along with the righteous-souled grandsire of the Bharatas, and both heroes, Bhāradvāja and Dhanañjaya, set out to pacify them.
Those two sages, who knew all dharmas and sought the welfare of all beings, stood with supreme brilliance between the two blazing missiles.
Then, having approached, the two illustrious and unassailable sages remained there, shining like blazing fires.
They were invincible to all living beings, respected by both gods and demons, and subdued the power of weapons for the welfare of the worlds.
The sages said:
Even the great chariot-warriors of the past, who were skilled in many weapons, never used this weapon among men.
