Shloka 16
Adhyāya 70: Sātyaki’s Arrow-Display and the Bhūriśravas Engagement; Twilight Withdrawal
ब्राह्मणलोग ध्यानयोगके द्वारा इन्हीं परम तेजस्वी वासुदेवका ज्ञान प्राप्त करते हैं। जलशायी नारायणके कानकी मैलसे महान् असुर मधुका प्राकट्य हुआ था। वह मधु बड़े ही उग्र स्वभावका तथा क्रूरकर्मा था। उसने ब्रह्माजीका समादर करते हुए अत्यन्त भयंकर बुद्धिका आश्रय लिया था। इसलिये ब्रह्माजीका समादर करते हुए भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमने मधुको मार डाला था ।। तस्य तात वधादेव देवदानवमानवा: । मधुसूदनमित्याहुरषयश्न जनार्दनम्
brāhmaṇāḥ dhyānayogenaiva taṃ parama-tejasvinaṃ vāsudevaṃ jñānaṃ prāpnuvanti | jalaśāyiṇaḥ nārāyaṇasya karṇa-malasambhūto mahān asuro madhuḥ prādurabhavat | sa madhuḥ paramodgra-svabhāvaḥ krūra-karmā ca āsīt | sa brahmāṇaṃ samādṛtya atyanta-bhayaṅkarāṃ buddhiṃ samāśritaḥ | tasmāt brahmāṇaṃ samādṛtya bhagavān puruṣottamo madhum avadhīt || tasya tāta vadhād eva deva-dānava-mānavāḥ | madhusūdanam ity āhur ṛṣayaś ca janārdanam ||
Bhīṣma said: By the discipline of meditative yoga, Brahmins attain true knowledge of that supremely radiant Vāsudeva. From the ear-wax of Nārāyaṇa, who lay upon the waters, the mighty asura Madhu once manifested. Madhu was fierce by nature and cruel in deed; and, while outwardly showing respect to Brahmā, he took refuge in a most dreadful and perverse resolve. Therefore the Blessed Lord, the Supreme Person, honoring Brahmā, slew Madhu. From that very slaying, O dear one, gods, Dānavas, and humans—and the seers as well—came to call Janārdana by the name “Madhusūdana,” the slayer of Madhu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Meditative discipline (dhyāna-yoga) leads to true knowledge of Vāsudeva, and the Lord’s destruction of a cruel aggressor is framed as dharmic protection of order—hence divine names arise from righteous acts.
Bhīṣma recounts an origin-story: the asura Madhu arises from Nārāyaṇa, adopts a terrifying intent despite showing respect to Brahmā, and is slain by the Supreme Lord; as a result, gods, sages, and humans call the Lord “Madhusūdana.”