Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 10

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्याक्षिप्य विभुं वीरो नाराचैर्वीरमर्दन: । आकर्णपूर्णैरहनदाक्षेपैराहतं पुन: ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca ity ākṣipya vibhuṁ vīro nārācair vīra-mardanaḥ ākarṇa-pūrṇair ahanad ākṣepair āha taṁ punaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After thus rebuking Indra, King of heaven, with sharp words, Bali Mahārāja, who could subdue any other hero, drew back to his ear the arrows known as nārācas and attacked Indra with these arrows. Then he again chastised Indra with strong words.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); proper noun; समासः—श्री + शुकः

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (iti-avyaya)

• ākṣipya: having taunted
• ākṣipya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√kṣip (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), avyaya; ‘having rebuked/taunted’

• vibhum: the mighty one (lord)
• vibhum: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• vīraḥ: the hero
• vīraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular)

• nārācaiḥ: with iron arrows
• nārācaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārāca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• vīra-mardanaḥ: crusher of heroes
• vīra-mardanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक) + mardana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); epithet; समासः—वीराणां मर्दनः (crusher of heroes)

• ākarṇa-pūrṇaiḥ: fully drawn to the ear
• ākarṇa-pūrṇaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ākarṇa (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural); qualifying nārācaiḥ; समासः—आकर्णं यावत् पूर्णाः (drawn up to the ear, fully drawn)

• ahanat: struck
• ahanat: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect/Past), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• ākṣepaiḥ: with taunts (insults)
• ākṣepaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ākṣepa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural); here ‘taunts/insults’ as figurative instruments

• āhatam: struck / wounded
• āhatam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√han (धातु) + āhata (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Kta-participle (past passive participle), Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); qualifying tam

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Kāla/krama-avyaya (adverb: again)

Characters & Entities

• Vīramardana

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 8.11.10 describe?

It describes Vīramardana retaliating in battle—after rebuking his powerful opponent, he strikes again with fully drawn nārāca arrows.

Who is speaking in this verse of the Bhagavatam?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the events to King Parīkṣit.

What is a practical lesson from this shloka for modern life?

When facing adversity, respond with steadiness and disciplined effort—act decisively in one’s duty rather than being shaken by an opponent’s attack.