Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18
The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins
यानि योधै: प्रयुक्तानि शस्त्रास्त्राणि कुरूद्वह । हरिस्तान्यच्छिनत्तीक्ष्णै: शरैरेकैकशस्त्रिभि: ॥ १७ ॥ उह्यमान: सुपर्णेन पक्षाभ्यां निघ्नता गजान् । गुरुत्मता हन्यमानास्तुण्डपक्षनखेर्गजा: ॥ १८ ॥ पुरमेवाविशन्नार्ता नरको युध्ययुध्यत ॥ १९ ॥
yāni yodhaiḥ prayuktāni śastrāstrāṇi kurūdvaha haris tāny acchinat tīkṣṇaiḥ śarair ekaikaśas trībhiḥ
Lord Hari then struck down all the missiles and weapons the enemy soldiers threw at Him, O hero of the Kurus, destroying each and every one with three sharp arrows. Meanwhile Garuḍa, as he carried the Lord, struck the enemy’s elephants with his wings. Beaten by Garuḍa’s wings, beak and talons, the elephants fled back into the city, leaving Narakāsura alone on the battlefield to oppose Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Hari (Kṛṣṇa) is described as cutting down every weapon and missile sent against Him, showing His complete mastery and protective power.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī addresses Parīkṣit respectfully as kurūdvaha while narrating Kṛṣṇa’s deeds, keeping the listener-centered tone of the Bhagavatam’s dialogue.
The verse encourages faith that sincere devotion brings inner protection—steadiness, clarity, and courage—even when life feels like an onslaught of obstacles.