Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
श्रीशुक उवाच इति मन्त्रोपनिषदं व्याहरन्तं समाहितम् । दृष्ट्वासुरा यातुधाना जग्धुमभ्यद्रवन् क्षुधा ॥ १७ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti mantropaniṣadaṁ vyāharantaṁ samāhitam dṛṣṭvāsurā yātudhānā jagdhum abhyadravan kṣudhā
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Svāyambhuva Manu was thus in a trance, chanting the mantras of Vedic instruction known as the Upaniṣads. Upon seeing him, the Rākṣasas and asuras, being very hungry, wanted to devour him. Therefore they ran after him with great speed.
FAQs
This verse shows a devotee or sage remaining fully composed while reciting a sacred mantra, even as hostile beings rush to harm him—highlighting the spiritual power and steadiness cultivated through mantra and absorption.
Yātudhānas are described as fierce, man-eating demonic beings (rākṣasa-like). Here they are grouped with asuras and portrayed as driven by hunger to devour the saintly person.
When facing fear or aggression, practice steadiness (samādhi-like focus) through japa, prayer, and disciplined remembrance of the Divine, responding from inner composure rather than panic.