Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 21

Varāha Confronts Hiraṇyākṣa: The Challenge, the Rescue of Earth, and the Opening of the Mace-Duel

Devanagari script

आसन्नशौण्डीरमपेतसाध्वसं कृतप्रतीकारमहार्यविक्रमम् । विलक्ष्य दैत्यं भगवान् सहस्रणी- र्जगाद नारायणमादिसूकरम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

āsanna-śauṇḍīram apeta-sādhvasaṁ kṛta-pratīkāram ahārya-vikramam vilakṣya daityaṁ bhagavān sahasra-ṇīr jagāda nārāyaṇam ādi-sūkaram

Translation

After arriving at the place of combat, Brahmā, the leader of thousands of sages and transcendentalists, saw the demon, who had attained such unprecedented power that no one could fight with him. Brahmā then addressed Nārāyaṇa, who was assuming the form of a boar for the first time.

Synonyms

• āsanna-śauṇḍīram: very bold/impudent
• āsanna-śauṇḍīram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āsanna (कृदन्त, √sad with ā-) + śauṇḍīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies 'daityam'

• apeta-sādhvasam: free from fear
• apeta-sādhvasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apeta (कृदन्त, √i with apa-) + sādhvasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies 'daityam'

• kṛta-pratīkāram: having made counter-measures/defences
• kṛta-pratīkāram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त, √kṛ) + pratīkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies 'daityam'

• ahārya-vikramam: of irresistible prowess
• ahārya-vikramam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ahārya (प्रातिपदिक; a- + hārya) + vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; qualifies 'daityam'

• vilakṣya: having observed
• vilakṣya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √lakṣ (धातु) with vi- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय, ल्यप्), indeclinable (अव्ययभाव)

• daityam: the demon
• daityam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• sahasra-nīḥ: leader of thousands
• sahasra-nīḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + nī (प्रातिपदिक; 'leader')
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; epithet

• jagāda: said/spoke
• jagāda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gad (धातु) with ja- (reduplication)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• nārāyaṇam: Nārāyaṇa
• nārāyaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; in apposition/object of speech (addressed)

• ādi-sūkaram: the primeval Boar (Varāha)
• ādi-sūkaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + sūkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; apposition to nārāyaṇam

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Varāha (Ādi-sūkara, Nārāyaṇa)
• Hiraṇyākṣa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about demonic pride in the Varaha story?

This verse highlights Hiraṇyākṣa’s swaggering arrogance and fearlessness, showing how demonic pride confronts the Lord—who calmly observes and then speaks, setting the stage for divine justice.

Why did Lord Varaha speak to Hiranyaksha in Canto 3 Chapter 18?

After seeing the demon fully prepared and approaching with insolent confidence, Lord Varāha addresses him directly—initiating the confrontation that protects the earth and restores dharma.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

Face intimidation and arrogance without panic: observe clearly, stay steady in duty, and respond from principle rather than fear—trusting that dharma-supported action brings protection.