Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 31
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
तदापतद् गगनतले महाजवंविचिच्छिदे हरिरिषुभि: सहस्रधा । तमाहनन्नृप कुलिशेन कन्धरेरुषान्वितस्त्रिदशपति: शिरो हरन् ॥ ३१ ॥
tadāpatad gagana-tale mahā-javaṁ vicicchide harir iṣubhiḥ sahasradhā tam āhanan nṛpa kuliśena kandhare ruṣānvitas tridaśa-patiḥ śiro haran
O King, when Indra, King of heaven, saw this very powerful spear falling toward the ground like a blazing meteor, he immediately cut it to pieces with his arrows. Then, being very angry, he struck Namuci’s shoulder with his thunderbolt to cut off Namuci’s head.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a fast, formidable weapon can be shattered by Hari’s arrows, indicating the Supreme Lord’s mastery over all celestial powers and armaments.
In the heat of the Deva–Asura conflict, Indra—overcome by anger—attempted to stop Hari by striking Him with the vajra, aiming to disable Him by targeting His shoulder and even seeking to sever His head.
It teaches steadiness: worldly “weapons” like fear, anger, and sudden crises can be met with composure and divine shelter, remembering that the highest protection is alignment with dharma and devotion to Hari.