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Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 11

Dhruva’s War with the Yakṣas and the Protection of the Holy Name

तत: परिघनिस्त्रिंशै: प्रासशूलपरश्वधै: । शक्त्यृष्टिभिर्भुशुण्डीभिश्चित्रवाजै: शरैरपि ॥ ११ ॥ अभ्यवर्षन् प्रकुपिता: सरथं सहसारथिम् । इच्छन्तस्तत्प्रतीकर्तुमयुतानां त्रयोदश ॥ १२ ॥

tataḥ parigha-nistriṁśaiḥ prāsaśūla-paraśvadhaiḥ śakty-ṛṣṭibhir bhuśuṇḍībhiś citra-vājaiḥ śarair api

The Yakṣa soldiers were 130,000 strong, all greatly angry and all desiring to defeat the wonderful activities of Dhruva Mahārāja. With full strength they showered upon Mahārāja Dhruva, along with his chariot and charioteer, various types of feathered arrows, parighas [iron bludgeons], nistriṁśas [swords], prāsaśūlas [tridents], paraśvadhas [lances], śaktis [pikes], ṛṣṭis [spears] and bhuśuṇḍī weapons.

ततःthen / thereafter
ततः:
Desha-kala (देश-काल)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootततः (अव्यय; तद्-तसिल्)
Formतसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (ablatival adverb: from then/thereafter)
परिघनिस्त्रिंशैःwith clubs and swords
परिघनिस्त्रिंशैः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootपरिघ + निस्त्रिंश (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (परिघैः च निस्त्रिंशैः च)
प्रासशूलपरश्वधैःwith spears, tridents, and axes
प्रासशूलपरश्वधैः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootप्रास + शूल + परश्वध (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (spears, tridents, axes)
शक्त्यृष्टिभिःwith javelins and lances
शक्त्यृष्टिभिः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootशक्ति + ऋष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (शक्तिभिः च ऋष्टिभिः च)
भुशुण्डीभिःwith bhusuṇḍī weapons (maces/balls)
भुशुण्डीभिः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootभुशुण्डी (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्
चित्रवाजैःwith variegated (swift/feathered) ones
चित्रवाजैः:
Karana (करण)
TypeAdjective
Rootचित्र + वाज (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (चित्राः वाजाः/वाजिनः—variegated/bright-feathered)
शरैःwith arrows
शरैः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootशर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) बहुवचनम्
अपिalso
अपि:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle); समुच्चयार्थे ‘also/even’
D
Dhruva Mahārāja
Y
Yakṣas

FAQs

It describes the Yakṣas fiercely attacking Dhruva with many kinds of weapons—clubs, swords, spears, tridents, axes, missiles, and various arrows—showing the intensity of the combat.

In this chapter’s narrative, the Yakṣas oppose Dhruva during his campaign against them after the killing of his brother Uttama, leading to a violent confrontation.

Even when circumstances feel like an “onslaught,” steadiness in duty and remembrance of the Lord helps one remain composed and purposeful rather than crushed by fear.