In the time of yore Agastya had a disciple in the science of arms. Who was known as Agnivesha. He was my preceptor and I was his disciple. O descendant of Bharata, I obtained from him by asceticism a weapon, known by the name of Brahmashira, which can never be futile and which is like thunder itself and capable of consuming the whole earth. That weapon from what I have done may now descend from disciple to disciple. Giving it to me, my preceptor said, “O son of Bharadvaja, do not hurl this weapon against any human being and against one who possess but little energy." O hero, (Arjuna), you have obtained that celestial weapon (from me); none else deserves it. But O Vishampata, obey the command of that best of Rishis (Agnivesha). Now give your preceptor's Dakshina before all your relatives and cousins.
अगस्त्यस्य धनुर्वेद शिष्यों मम गुरुः पुरा। अग्निवेश इति ख्यातस्तस्य शिष्योऽस्मि भारत॥ तीर्थात् तीर्थं गमयितुमहमेतत् समुद्यतः। तपसा यन्मया प्राप्तममोघमशनिप्रभम्॥ अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो नाम यद् दहेत् पृथिवीमपि। ददता गुरुणा चोक्तं न मनुष्येष्विदं त्वया॥ भारद्वाज विमोक्तव्यमल्पवीर्येष्वपि प्रभो। त्वया प्राप्तमिदं वीर दिव्यं नान्योऽर्हति त्विदम्॥ समयस्तु त्वया रक्ष्यो मुनिसृष्टो विशाम्पते। आचार्यदक्षिणां देहि ज्ञातिग्रामस्य पश्यतः॥