Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 39
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
तां दैवीं गिरमाकर्ण्य मघवान्सुसमाहित: । ध्यायन् फेनमथापश्यदुपायमुभयात्मकम् ॥ ३९ ॥
tāṁ daivīṁ giram ākarṇya maghavān susamāhitaḥ dhyāyan phenam athāpaśyad upāyam ubhayātmakam
Hearing that divine utterance, Maghavan Indra became fully composed. Meditating on a means to slay the foe, he perceived that foam would be the way—for it is neither moist nor dry, but partakes of both.
FAQs
This verse shows Indra becoming fully composed upon hearing a divine instruction and then, through contemplation, recognizing a practical solution—implying that divine guidance is best received with steadiness and applied with thoughtful discernment.
Because the situation required a method that would bypass opposing conditions or restrictions; by meditating, Indra perceived foam as a unique instrument fitting a dual category, enabling the next step in the battle narrative.
When facing a complex problem, first become calm and attentive, then reflect deeply—often a creative “third option” appears that avoids extremes and resolves the issue effectively.