Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
ख आपतत्तद्विचलद्ग्रहोल्कव- न्निरीक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमजातविक्लव: । वज्रेण वज्री शतपर्वणाच्छिनद् भुजं च तस्योरगराजभोगम् ॥ ३ ॥
kha āpatat tad vicalad graholkavan nirīkṣya duṣprekṣyam ajāta-viklavaḥ vajreṇa vajrī śata-parvaṇācchinad bhujaṁ ca tasyoraga-rāja-bhogam
Flying in the sky, Vṛtrāsura’s trident resembled a brilliant meteor. Although the blazing weapon was difficult to look upon, King Indra, unafraid, cut it to pieces with his thunderbolt. Simultaneously, he cut off one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms, which was as thick as the body of Vāsuki, the King of the serpents.
FAQs
This verse describes Indra using the śata-parva Vajra to sever Vṛtrāsura’s serpent-like arm, emphasizing the Vajra as a decisive divine weapon in the cosmic battle.
In this chapter’s battle narrative, Indra confronts Vṛtrāsura as the leader of the opposing side; this verse highlights Indra’s steadiness and his counterstrike when a terrifying weapon is hurled at him.
Even when facing something “hard to look at” (overwhelming fear or crisis), steadiness and duty-driven action—without panic—can cut through obstacles decisively.