Shloka 4

The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins

Devanagari script

गदया निर्बिभेदाद्रीन् शस्‍त्रदुर्गाणि सायकै: । चक्रेणाग्निं जलं वायुं मुरपाशांस्तथासिना ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

gadayā nirbibhedādrīn śastra-durgāṇi sāyakaiḥ cakreṇāgniṁ jalaṁ vāyuṁ mura-pāśāṁs tathāsinā

Translation

Mit Seiner Keule durchbrach der Herr die Felsbefestigungen; mit Seinen Pfeilen die Waffenbefestigungen; mit Seinem Diskus die Befestigungen aus Feuer, Wasser und Wind; und mit Seinem Schwert zerschnitt Er die mura-pāśa-Seile und bahnte sich den Weg.

Synonyms

• gadayā: with the mace
• gadayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• nirbibheda: split, pierced through
• nirbibheda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√bhid (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada; upasarga nir-

• adrīn: mountains
• adrīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• śastra-durgāṇi: weapon-forts/armed defenses
• śastra-durgāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śastra (प्रातिपदिक) + durga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural); तत्पुरुष

• sāyakaiḥ: with arrows
• sāyakaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• cakreṇa: with the discus
• cakreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• agnim: fire
• agnim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• jalam: water
• jalam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• vāyum: wind
• vāyum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• mura-pāśān: Mura’s nooses
• mura-pāśān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mura (प्रातिपदिक) + pāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural); तत्पुरुष (murasya pāśān)

• tathā: also, likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (Indeclinable), Particle/Adverb (निपात/क्रियाविशेषण)

• asinā: with the sword
• asinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Mura

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s weapons like the Sudarshana Chakra?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa’s divine sovereignty: His disc can subdue even elemental forces like fire, water, and wind, demonstrating that His weapons are expressions of His supreme will.

Why did Krishna destroy the defenses and snares of Mura?

In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 59, Kṛṣṇa enters the enemy stronghold to defeat the demonic guardian Mura and proceed to rescue the imprisoned princesses; breaking the fortifications and nooses removes the obstacles to their deliverance.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Remembering Kṛṣṇa as the remover of obstacles strengthens faith during crises—devotees can respond to fear and adversity by taking shelter of Him through prayer, hearing, and steady practice.