Shloka 18

The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins

Devanagari script

यानि योधै: प्रयुक्तानि शस्‍त्रास्‍त्राणि कुरूद्वह । हरिस्तान्यच्छिनत्तीक्ष्णै: शरैरेकैकशस्‍त्रिभि: ॥ १७ ॥ उह्यमान: सुपर्णेन पक्षाभ्यां निघ्नता गजान् । गुरुत्मता हन्यमानास्तुण्डपक्षनखेर्गजा: ॥ १८ ॥ पुरमेवाविशन्नार्ता नरको युध्ययुध्यत ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

yāni yodhaiḥ prayuktāni śastrāstrāṇi kurūdvaha haris tāny acchinat tīkṣṇaiḥ śarair ekaikaśas trībhiḥ

Translation

As Suparṇa Garuḍa bore the Lord, the mighty Garutmān struck the enemy elephants with his wings; beaten by his beak, wings, and talons, they fled in terror back into the city.

Synonyms

• uhyamānaḥ: being carried
• uhyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ud-vah (धातु) + śānac/āna (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present passive participle (शानच्/आन, कर्मणि); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with (implicit) subject like ‘(Narakaḥ)’/contextual agent being carried

• suparṇena: by Suparṇa (Garuḍa)
• suparṇena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suparṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• pakṣābhyām: with (his) two wings
• pakṣābhyām: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Dual (द्विवचन)

• nighnatā: while striking
• nighnatā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-han (धातु) + śatṛ (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ, कर्तरि); Masculine, Instrumental, Singular; agrees with suparṇena/gurutmatā (agent ‘while striking’)

• gajān: elephants
• gajān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• gurutmatā: by Gurutmān (Garuḍa)
• gurutmatā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gurutmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular; epithet of Garuḍa (‘the great-winged’)

• hanyamānāḥ: being struck/killed
• hanyamānāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: han (धातु) + śānac/āna (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present passive participle (शानच्/आन, कर्मणि); Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with gajāḥ

• tuṇḍa-pakṣa-nakheḥ: with (his) beak, wings, and claws
• tuṇḍa-pakṣa-nakheḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tuṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + nakha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural (तृतीया बहुवचन); samāhāra/itaretara-dvandva sense: ‘with beak, wings, and claws’

• gajāḥ: the elephants
• gajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Hari)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Krishna neutralizing enemy weapons?

In this verse, Lord Hari (Kṛṣṇa) is described as cutting down every weapon and missile sent against Him, showing His complete mastery and protective power.

Why is King Parikshit addressed as 'best of the Kurus' in this battle narration?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī addresses Parīkṣit respectfully as kurūdvaha while narrating Kṛṣṇa’s deeds, keeping the listener-centered tone of the Bhagavatam’s dialogue.

Practical application of Krishna’s protection in modern life?

The verse encourages faith that sincere devotion brings inner protection—steadiness, clarity, and courage—even when life feels like an onslaught of obstacles.