Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
श्रीशुक उवाच इति मन्त्रोपनिषदं व्याहरन्तं समाहितम् । दृष्ट्वासुरा यातुधाना जग्धुमभ्यद्रवन् क्षुधा ॥ १७ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti mantropaniṣadaṁ vyāharantaṁ samāhitam dṛṣṭvāsurā yātudhānā jagdhum abhyadravan kṣudhā
শ্রীশুকদেব বললেন—এইভাবে স্বায়ম্ভুব মনু সমাধিস্থ হয়ে উপনিষদ-রূপ বৈদিক মন্ত্র উচ্চারণ করছিলেন। তাঁকে দেখে ক্ষুধায় কাতর রাক্ষস ও অসুরেরা তাঁকে গ্রাস করতে চেয়ে দ্রুত তাঁর দিকে ধেয়ে এল।
FAQs
This verse shows a devotee or sage remaining fully composed while reciting a sacred mantra, even as hostile beings rush to harm him—highlighting the spiritual power and steadiness cultivated through mantra and absorption.
Yātudhānas are described as fierce, man-eating demonic beings (rākṣasa-like). Here they are grouped with asuras and portrayed as driven by hunger to devour the saintly person.
When facing fear or aggression, practice steadiness (samādhi-like focus) through japa, prayer, and disciplined remembrance of the Divine, responding from inner composure rather than panic.