Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
ख आपतत्तद्विचलद्ग्रहोल्कव- न्निरीक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमजातविक्लव: । वज्रेण वज्री शतपर्वणाच्छिनद् भुजं च तस्योरगराजभोगम् ॥ ३ ॥
kha āpatat tad vicalad graholkavan nirīkṣya duṣprekṣyam ajāta-viklavaḥ vajreṇa vajrī śata-parvaṇācchinad bhujaṁ ca tasyoraga-rāja-bhogam
Flying through the sky, Vṛtrāsura’s trident blazed like a radiant meteor. Though that fiery weapon was hard to behold, fearless King Indra shattered it with his hundred-jointed thunderbolt and at the same time severed one of Vṛtrāsura’s arms, thick as the body of Vāsuki, king of serpents.
FAQs
This verse describes Indra using the śata-parva Vajra to sever Vṛtrāsura’s serpent-like arm, emphasizing the Vajra as a decisive divine weapon in the cosmic battle.
In this chapter’s battle narrative, Indra confronts Vṛtrāsura as the leader of the opposing side; this verse highlights Indra’s steadiness and his counterstrike when a terrifying weapon is hurled at him.
Even when facing something “hard to look at” (overwhelming fear or crisis), steadiness and duty-driven action—without panic—can cut through obstacles decisively.