Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 30
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
अश्मसारमयं शूलं घण्टावद्धेमभूषणम् । प्रगृह्याभ्यद्रवत् क्रुद्धो हतोऽसीति वितर्जयन् । प्राहिणोद् देवराजाय निनदन् मृगराडिव ॥ ३० ॥
aśmasāramayaṁ śūlaṁ ghaṇṭāvad dhema-bhūṣaṇam pragṛhyābhyadravat kruddho hato ’sīti vitarjayan prāhiṇod deva-rājāya ninadan mṛga-rāḍ iva
Being angry and roaring like a lion, the demon Namuci took up a steel spear, which was bound with bells and decorated with ornaments of gold. He loudly cried, “Now you are killed!” Thus coming before Indra to kill him, Namuci released his weapon.
FAQs
This verse depicts a fierce battlefield moment where an enraged warrior seizes a bell-adorned golden trident and hurls it at Indra, the king of the demigods, roaring like a lion.
Because Indra is the ruler and chief of the devas (demigods), the verse identifies him by his role—'devarāja,' the king of the gods—showing the trident was aimed at the leader of the heavenly hosts.
It highlights how anger amplifies conflict and aggression; a devotee learns to restrain rage and act with steadiness, seeking divine guidance rather than being driven by provocation.