Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 7
Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture
Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict
कण्डूत्या निभृतैर्दोर्भिर्युयुत्सुर्दिग्गजानहम् । आद्यायां चूर्णयन्नद्रीन् भीतास्तेऽपि प्रदुद्रुवु: ॥ ७ ॥
kaṇḍūtyā nibhṛtair dorbhir yuyutsur dig-gajān aham ādyāyāṁ cūrṇayann adrīn bhītās te ’pi pradudruvuḥ
Eager to fight with the elephants who rule the directions, O primeval lord, I went forth, pulverizing mountains with my arms, which were itching for battle. But even those great elephants fled in fear.
FAQs
This verse depicts Bāṇāsura as so powerful that even while merely scratching himself with his arms held close, he crushed mountains and terrified the guardian elephants of the directions, who fled in fear.
The comparison highlights his martial arrogance and superhuman might—he behaves as if he could challenge even the cosmic guardians, emphasizing the scale of his pride before his encounter with the Lord’s power.
Great power without devotion and humility can inflate pride; the Bhagavatam repeatedly shows that worldly strength is unstable and ultimately subordinate to divine order, urging humility and God-centered character.