Shloka 186
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
जग्राह तां तदा शक्ति न चैनां स व्यकम्पयत् । भगवानके इस कथनको सहन न कर सकनेके कारण प्रह्नादने स्वयं ही उस शक्तिको उखाड़ फेंकनेका दृढ़ निश्चय कर लिया और उस शक्तिको पकड़कर खींचा; परंतु वे उसे हिला भी न सके
jagrāha tāṁ tadā śaktiṁ na caināṁ sa vyakampayat |
Bhishma said: Then he seized that spear, yet he could not make it so much as tremble. Unable to endure the Lord’s words, Prahlada resolved to uproot the weapon by his own strength; he grasped it and pulled with firm determination, but it would not yield. The episode sets mere force against the higher power of divine ordinance: when an act opposes the Lord’s will, physical might alone proves futile.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that brute strength is limited when set against divine ordinance and dharma. Ethical action requires alignment with higher truth; otherwise, even determined effort may fail.
Prahlāda, provoked by the Lord’s statement, tries to uproot or move a spear by gripping and pulling it. Despite his resolve, he cannot make the weapon even tremble, demonstrating the futility of force in that situation.