Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
भित्त्वा वज्रेण तत्कुक्षिं निष्क्रम्य बलभिद् विभु: । उच्चकर्त शिर: शत्रोर्गिरिशृङ्गमिवौजसा ॥ ३२ ॥
bhittvā vajreṇa tat-kukṣiṁ niṣkramya bala-bhid vibhuḥ uccakarta śiraḥ śatror giri-śṛṅgam ivaujasā
Mit seinem Donnerkeil durchbohrte der überaus mächtige Indra den Bauch Vṛtrāsuras und trat heraus. Dann hieb Indra, der Bezwinger Bālas, sogleich mit großer Kraft dem Feind den Kopf ab; er ragte hoch wie ein Berggipfel.
This verse states that Indra split Vṛtrāsura’s belly with the vajra (thunderbolt), emerged from it, and then cut off Vṛtrāsura’s head with great force, like severing a mountain peak.
In the narrative of Canto 6, the battle reaches its climax: after breaking free by the vajra, Indra completes the act of slaying his formidable enemy by severing the head, fulfilling his duty as king of heaven in the devas’ struggle.
It highlights decisive action when duty demands it—acting with clarity and strength to remove obstacles—while remembering that outcomes ultimately unfold under divine arrangement.