Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31

Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

Devanagari script

अविदूर इवाभ्येत्य शिरस्तस्य दुरात्मन: । जहार मुष्टिनैवाङ्ग सहचूडमणिं विभु: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

avidūra ivābhyetya śiras tasya durātmanaḥ jahāra muṣṭinaivāṅga saha-cūḍa-maṇiṁ vibhuḥ

Translation

The mighty Lord overtook Śaṅkhacūḍa from a great distance as if from nearby, my dear King, and then with His fist the Lord removed the wicked demon’s head, together with his crest jewel.

Synonyms

• अविदूरम्: not far (away)
• अविदूरम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविदूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (क्रियाविशेषणवत्), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘अविदूरम्’ = not far (adverbial accusative)

• इव: as if
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक (comparative particle)

• अभ्येत्य: having approached
• अभ्येत्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इ (धातु) + अभि (उपसर्ग) → अभ्ये (धातु-आदेश) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having approached’

• शिरः: the head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• दुरात्मनः: of the wicked one
• दुरात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुरात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘दुष्ट-आत्मा’ (evil-minded)

• जहार: took away
• जहार: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मुष्टिना: with (his) fist
• मुष्टिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; करण (instrument)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis/only)

• अङ्ग: O dear (particle)
• अङ्ग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अङ्ग (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; संबोधन/सम्बोधनार्थक-निपात (interjection/particle)

• सह-चूडामणिम्: together with the crest-jewel
• सह-चूडामणिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सह (अव्यय) + चूडामणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः: ‘चूडामणिना सह’ = together with the crest-jewel

• विभुः: the mighty Lord
• विभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Aghāsura

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna protecting His devotees?

This verse shows the Lord as vibhu—fully capable of instantly removing danger—destroying the wicked aggressor with effortless power, implying His swift protection for those under His shelter.

Why did Krishna kill the wicked one described in this shloka?

In the narrative, a demonic attacker threatens the Lord’s associates; Kṛṣṇa removes the threat decisively, demonstrating divine justice and safeguarding His devotees.

Practical application of Krishna’s protection in modern life?

Cultivate steady bhakti and remembrance of the Lord; the takeaway is faith that sincere devotion brings inner protection—courage, clarity, and deliverance from harmful influences.