Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 12
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.
FAQs
In Canto 4, Chapter 10, the Bhagavatam describes the Yakṣas becoming enraged and showering Dhruva—along with his chariot and charioteer—with many kinds of weapons and arrows, trying to counter him by force.
The Yakṣas opposed Dhruva because Dhruva attacked them after his brother Uttama was killed; this verse narrates their furious counterattack during that conflict.
It highlights how anger escalates into retaliation and collective violence; a devotee learns to pause, seek higher guidance, and act from dharma rather than from rage.