Shloka 13

Kṛṣṇa Defeats Bāṇāsura and Receives Śiva’s Prayers

The Śoṇitapura Battle and the Jvara Episode

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मास्‍त्रस्य च ब्रह्मास्‍त्रं वायव्यस्य च पार्वतम् । आग्नेयस्य च पार्जन्यं नैजं पाशुपतस्य च ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

brahmāstrasya ca brahmāstraṁ vāyavyasya ca pārvatam āgneyasya ca pārjanyaṁ naijaṁ pāśupatasya ca

Translation

Kṛṣṇa konterte das brahmāstra mit einem brahmāstra, die Windwaffe mit einer Bergwaffe, die Feuerwaffe mit einer Regenwaffe und Śivas persönliches pāśupatāstra mit Seiner eigenen persönlichen Waffe, dem nārāyaṇāstra.

Synonyms

ब्रह्म-अस्त्रस्यof the Brahmā-weapon

चand

ब्रह्म-अस्त्रम्the Brahmā-weapon (counter)

वायव्यस्यof the Vāyavya (wind) [weapon]

चand

पार्वतम्the Pārvatā (mountain) [weapon]

आग्नेयस्यof the Āgneya (fire) [weapon]

चand

पार्जन्यम्the Pārjanya (rain) [weapon]

नैजम्his own (proper) [weapon]

पाशुपतस्यof the Pāśupata [weapon]

चand

Characters & Entities

Śukadeva Gosvāmī

Śrī Kṛṣṇa

Bāṇāsura

Lord Śiva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna countering powerful astras like the brahmāstra?

This verse describes Kṛṣṇa’s mastery over all weapons: He counters each astra with an appropriate counter-astra, and even neutralizes the formidable pāśupata weapon by His own personal potency.

Why does Krishna use different counter-weapons (astra vs. astra) in the battle with Bāṇāsura?

In the narrative, Kṛṣṇa demonstrates flawless divine strategy—each elemental weapon is met with its natural counter (wind with mountain, fire with rain), showing His complete control over material forces and celestial armaments.

Practical application: what can devotees learn from Krishna neutralizing the pāśupata weapon?

The verse teaches reliance on the Supreme Lord: when dangers seem overwhelming, Kṛṣṇa’s own protection is ultimate—devotees cultivate faith that divine shelter surpasses all opposing powers.