Shloka 34
Satī at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice: Condemnation of Blasphemy and Voluntary Departure by Yoga-Fire
तैरलातायुधै: सर्वे प्रमथा: सहगुह्यका: । हन्यमाना दिशो भेजुरुशद्भिर्ब्रह्मतेजसा ॥ ३४ ॥
tair alātāyudhaiḥ sarve pramathāḥ saha-guhyakāḥ hanyamānā diśo bhejur uśadbhir brahma-tejasā
Wielding half-burned fuel from the yajña fire as weapons, the Ṛbhu demigods struck the pramathas and the guhyakas. Scorched by brahma-tejas—brahminical potency—those attendants fled in all directions and vanished.
The word brahma-tejasā, used in this verse, is significant. In those days, brāhmaṇas were so powerful that simply by desiring and by chanting a Vedic mantra, they could accomplish very wonderful effects. But in the present age of degradation there are no such brāhmaṇas. According to the Pāñcarātrika system, in this age the entire population is supposed to consist of śūdras because the brahminical culture has been lost. But if anyone displays the signs of understanding Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he should be accepted, according to Vaiṣṇava smṛti regulations, as a prospective brāhmaṇa and should be given all facilities to achieve the highest perfection. The most magnanimous gift of Lord Caitanya’s is that the highest perfection of life is available in this fallen age if one simply adopts the process of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, which is able to bring about the fulfillment of all activities in self-realization.
FAQs
This verse shows brahma-tejas as a real, fiery spiritual potency—so powerful that even Śiva’s fierce attendants are scorched and forced to flee when confronted by it.
In the Dakṣa-yajña conflict, they were struck by blazing weapons empowered by brahminical effulgence, and being overpowered, they scattered and ran in all directions.
By cultivating truthfulness, self-control, purity, and scriptural respect—recognizing that integrity and spiritual discipline carry a subtle strength that can restrain anger and chaos.