Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 14

Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

विष्वग्विवर्धमानं तमिषुमात्रं दिने दिने । दग्धशैलप्रतीकाशं सन्ध्याभ्रानीकवर्चसम् ॥ १३ ॥ तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुं मध्याह्नार्कोग्रलोचनम् ॥ १४ ॥ देदीप्यमाने त्रिशिखे शूल आरोप्य रोदसी । नृत्यन्तमुन्नदन्तं च चालयन्तं पदा महीम् ॥ १५ ॥ दरीगम्भीरवक्त्रेण पिबता च नभस्तलम् । लिहता जिह्वयर्क्षाणि ग्रसता भुवनत्रयम् ॥ १६ ॥ महता रौद्रदंष्ट्रेण जृम्भमाणं मुहुर्मुहु: । वित्रस्ता दुद्रुवुर्लोका वीक्ष्य सर्वे दिशो दश ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

viṣvag vivardhamānaṁ tam iṣu-mātraṁ dine dine dagdha-śaila-pratīkāśaṁ sandhyābhrānīka-varcasam

Translation

Like arrows released in the four directions, the demon’s body grew, day after day. Tall and blackish, he appeared like a burnt hill and was as lustrous as a bright array of clouds in the evening. The hair on the demon’s body and his beard and moustache were the color of melted copper, and his eyes were piercing like the midday sun. He appeared unconquerable, as if holding the three worlds on the points of his blazing trident. Dancing and shouting with a loud voice, he made the entire surface of the earth tremble as if from an earthquake. As he yawned again and again, he seemed to be trying to swallow the whole sky with his mouth, which was as deep as a cave. He seemed to be licking up all the stars in the sky with his tongue and eating the entire universe with his long, sharp teeth. Seeing this gigantic demon, everyone, in great fear, ran here and there in all directions.

Synonyms

• tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśrum: with beard (or hair) like heated copper flames
• tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśrum: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tapta (√tap, क्त-कृदन्त) + tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + śikhā (प्रातिपदिक) + śmaśru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (गुण-निर्देशः: ‘तप्तताम्रवर्णा शिखा यस्य’ इत्यर्थे शिखा-शब्देन सह; समस्तपदम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• madhyāhna-arka-ugra-locanam: having fierce eyes like the midday sun
• madhyāhna-arka-ugra-locanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhyāhna (प्रातिपदिक) + arka (प्रातिपदिक) + ugra (प्रातिपदिक) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान/गुण-निर्देशः: ‘मध्याह्नार्कवत् उग्रे लोचने यस्य’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Vṛtrāsura

FAQs

Who is Vṛtrāsura in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 6?

Vṛtrāsura is the formidable adversary of Indra in the Sixth Canto; though appearing terrifying, he is portrayed within the Bhagavatam’s larger teaching about destiny, divine arrangement, and devotion.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Vṛtrāsura with such terrifying imagery?

Śukadeva intensifies the narrative by depicting Vṛtrāsura’s awe-inspiring form, emphasizing the scale of the cosmic battle and the fear experienced by the worlds when confronted with overwhelming power.

What is the practical lesson from Bhagavatam 6.9.14 for modern life?

External appearance can be overwhelming, but wisdom lies in seeing beyond fear—remembering that outcomes unfold under higher order and that inner steadiness is essential in crisis.