Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 33
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
अथार्जुन: पञ्चशतेषु बाहुभि- र्धनु:षु बाणान् युगपत् स सन्दधे । रामाय रामोऽस्त्रभृतां समग्रणी- स्तान्येकधन्वेषुभिराच्छिनत् समम् ॥ ३३ ॥
athārjunaḥ pañca-śateṣu bāhubhir dhanuḥṣu bāṇān yugapat sa sandadhe rāmāya rāmo ’stra-bhṛtāṁ samagraṇīs tāny eka-dhanveṣubhir ācchinat samam
Then Kārtavīryārjuna, with his one thousand arms, simultaneously fixed arrows on five hundred bows to kill Lord Paraśurāma. But Lord Paraśurāma, the best of fighters, released enough arrows with only one bow to cut to pieces immediately all the arrows and bows in the hands of Kārtavīryārjuna.
FAQs
This verse shows Paraśurāma as the foremost among weapon-bearers, effortlessly countering Kārtavīrya Arjuna’s immense display of strength with a single bow.
It highlights his extraordinary, remembered prowess (five hundred arms), setting the stage for the Bhagavatam’s point that even such might is checked by the Lord’s superior power.
Spectacular ability or power can breed pride; the Bhagavatam cautions that true greatness is humility and alignment with dharma, not mere display of strength.