Shloka 7

Garuḍa, Saubhari’s Curse, Kāliya’s Refuge, and Kṛṣṇa Saves Vraja from Forest Fire

Devanagari script

तं तार्क्ष्यपुत्र: स निरस्य मन्युमान् प्रचण्डवेगो मधुसूदनासन: । पक्षेण सव्येन हिरण्यरोचिषा जघान कद्रुसुतमुग्रविक्रम: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ tārkṣya-putraḥ sa nirasya manyumān pracaṇḍa-vego madhusūdanāsanaḥ pakṣeṇa savyena hiraṇya-rociṣā jaghāna kadru-sutam ugra-vikramaḥ

Translation

The enraged son of Tārkṣya repelled Kāliya’s assault with overwhelming speed. That fearsome, mighty carrier of Lord Madhusūdana struck the son of Kadru with his left wing, radiant like gold.

Synonyms

• tam: him (Kāliya)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana

• tārkṣya-putraḥ: the son of Tārkṣya (Garuḍa)
• tārkṣya-putraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tārkṣya (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa ‘son of Tārkṣya (Garuḍa)’

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; pronoun

• nirasya: having repelled
• nirasya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nis + √as/√asj (धातु; ‘to throw off/drive away’) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), avyaya-kṛdanta; ‘having driven away/repelled’

• manyumān: wrathful
• manyumān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manyu-mat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; matup-pratyaya (मतुप्) ‘possessing anger’

• pracaṇḍa-vegaḥ: of violent speed
• pracaṇḍa-vegaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pracaṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; karmadhāraya ‘fierce-speeded’

• madhusūdana-āsanaḥ: whose seat is Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu)
• madhusūdana-āsanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhusūdana (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa ‘having Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu) as seat/abode’ (epithet of Garuḍa)

• pakṣeṇa: with (his) wing
• pakṣeṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana

• savyena: left
• savyena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: savya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana; adjective qualifying pakṣeṇa

• hiraṇya-rociṣā: with golden radiance
• hiraṇya-rociṣā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hiraṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + rocis (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa ‘golden splendor’; instrumental of manner

• jaghāna: struck / slew
• jaghāna: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• kadru-sutam: Kadru’s son (Kāliya)
• kadru-sutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kadru (प्रातिपदिक) + suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana; ṣaṣṭhī-tatpuruṣa ‘son of Kadru’

• ugra-vikramaḥ: of terrible valor
• ugra-vikramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ugra (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; karmadhāraya ‘fierce in prowess’

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• Madhusūdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Kadru
• Kadrusuta (a serpent)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Garuda’s power in Krishna’s pastimes?

This verse describes Garuḍa as immensely swift and formidable, the bearer of Lord Madhusūdana, capable of striking down a powerful serpent with the blazing force of his wing.

Why is Garuda called Madhusudana-asana in this shloka?

Because Garuḍa serves as the Lord’s mount—Madhusūdana (Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu) sits upon him—highlighting Garuḍa’s intimate service and the Lord’s protective presence in the narrative.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern life?

Even great strength should be guided by restraint—Garuḍa ‘casts aside anger’ and acts decisively; similarly, devotees are taught to control impulse and use power in the service of dharma and protection.