Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 30
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
विशीर्णरत्नकवचं विभ्रष्टाभरणस्रजम् । शरनिर्भिन्नहृदयं शयानमसृगाविलम् ॥ २९ ॥ प्रकीर्णकेशं ध्वस्ताक्षं रभसा दष्टदच्छदम् । रज:कुण्ठमुखाम्भोजं छिन्नायुधभुजं मृधे ॥ ३० ॥ उशीनरेन्द्रं विधिना तथा कृतं पतिं महिष्य: प्रसमीक्ष्य दु:खिता: । हता: स्म नाथेति करैरुरो भृशं घ्नन्त्यो मुहुस्तत्पदयोरुपापतन् ॥ ३१ ॥
viśīrṇa-ratna-kavacaṁ vibhraṣṭābharaṇa-srajam śara-nirbhinna-hṛdayaṁ śayānam asṛg-āvilam
Sein goldener, mit Edelsteinen besetzter Panzer war zerschmettert; Schmuck und Blumengirlanden waren herabgefallen; von feindlichen Pfeilen war sein Herz durchbohrt, sein Leib mit Blut bedeckt, und so lag der König auf dem Schlachtfeld. Das Haar war zerzaust, die Augen glanzlos; im Drang, Tapferkeit zu zeigen, hatte er sich in die Lippen gebissen, und die Zähne blieben so; sein lotosgleiches Antlitz war vom Staub geschwärzt, und seine waffentragenden Arme waren abgehauen und zerbrochen. Als die Königinnen des Herrschers von Uśīnara ihren Gemahl so sahen, riefen sie in Schmerz: „O Herr, bist du erschlagen, so sind auch wir erschlagen!“ Dies wiederholend, schlugen sie sich an die Brust und stürzten zu seinen Füßen nieder.
As stated here, rabhasā daṣṭa-dacchadam: the dead King, while fighting in anger, bit his lips to show his prowess, but nonetheless he was killed by providence ( vidhinā ). This proves that we are controlled by higher authorities; our personal power or endeavor is not always supreme. We must therefore accept the position offered to us by the order of the Supreme.
FAQs
It shows that even royal splendor—armor, jewels, garlands—becomes meaningless at death; the body falls, reminding the listener to seek lasting shelter in the Lord rather than temporary glory.
The verse describes the fallen Uśīnara king (Suyajña), seen after being killed in battle.
It encourages detachment: don’t build identity on status and possessions; cultivate devotion and virtue, which remain valuable beyond changing circumstances.