Shloka 14
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
स सिंहवाह आसाद्य गदामुद्यम्य रंहसा । जत्रावताडयच्छक्रं गजं च सुमहाबल: ॥ १४ ॥
sa siṁha-vāha āsādya gadām udyamya raṁhasā jatrāv atāḍayac chakraṁ gajaṁ ca sumahā-balaḥ
Der überaus mächtige Jambhāsura, auf einem Löwen reitend, stürmte auf Indra zu und schlug ihn, die Keule erhoben, mit Wucht auf die Schulter; auch Indras Elefanten traf er.
FAQs
In this verse, Indra (Śakra) is struck at the shoulder-joint by a lion-mounted, very powerful opponent wielding a mace, and even Indra’s elephant is hit.
The verse emphasizes the intensity of the battle—Indra is attacked together with his mount, showing that the assault is meant to incapacitate both the king of heaven and his support in combat.
Worldly power and position can be shaken suddenly; the Bhagavatam’s battle narratives remind a devotee to seek steady shelter in the Supreme rather than relying on external strength alone.