Pradyumna:
- athopaspṛśya salilaṁ
- sandadhe tat samāhitaḥ
- ajānann api saṁhāraṁ
- prāṇa-kṛcchra upasthite
- (SB 1.7.20)
"Since his life was in danger, he touched water in sanctity and concentrated upon the chanting of the hymns for throwing nuclear weapons, although he did not know how to withdraw such weapons."
- tataḥ prāduṣkṛtaṁ tejaḥ
- pracaṇḍaṁ sarvato diśam
- prāṇāpadam abhiprekṣya
- viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇur uvāca ha
- (SB 1.7.21)
"Therefore a glaring light spread in all directions. It was so fierce that Arjuna thought his own life in danger, and so he began to address Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa."
Prabhupāda:
- athopaspṛśya salilaṁ
- sandadhe tat samāhitaḥ
- ajānann api saṁhāraṁ
- prāṇa-kṛcchra upasthite
- (SB 1.7.20)
- tataḥ prāduṣkṛtaṁ tejaḥ
- pracaṇḍaṁ sarvato diśam
- prāṇāpadam abhiprekṣya
- viṣṇuṁ jiṣṇur uvāca ha
- (SB 1.7.21)
So necessity has no law. This brahma-bandhu, he knew how to create this brahmāstra. He learned it. But he knew it also that this weapon is not to be used generally. In very, very rare cases this should be used. As I explained, that atomic bomb, the nuclear weapon, is not used when there is fight between two dogs. It is not so insignificant. When the fight is very severe, just like your country used this nuclear bomb. When the Japanese people dared to attack your Pearl Harbor, at that time, your President was Mr. Truman. So it was not to be used, but he took little more precaution. Anyway, such weapon, deadly weapon, should not be used ordinarily. Therefore here it is said that prāṇa-kṛcchra upasthite. He knew that Arjuna was after him, and there is no escape. He would be killed. So whatever last resort he knew, he used that knowledge to throw brahmāstra so that the other party may be killed altogether. But ajānann api saṁhāram. He was not willing, but he did not know how to withdraw that. Formerly they used to know it. They could throw one brahmāstra, and if he likes he can withdraw. Or the other party he, can nullify it. This is warfare. But he did not know that. How to counteract it, he did not know that.