Mahabharata 3.294.4 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 294, Shloka 4
कर्णेन्द्रविनिमयः
Karna–Indra Exchange of Kavaca-Kuṇḍala for the Vāsavī-Śakti
संहत्य निहतो वृत्रो मरुद्भिर्वज़पाणिना । नमुचिश्रैव दुर्धर्षो दीर्घजिह्वा च राक्षसी,वज्रपाणि इन्द्रने मरुदूगणोंके साथ मिलकर वृत्रासुर, दुर्धर्ष वीर नमुचि तथा दीर्घ॑जिद्ना राक्षमीका वध किया था
saṁhatya nihato vṛtro marudbhir vajrapāṇinā | namuciś caiva durdharṣo dīrghajihvā ca rākṣasī ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Joining forces, Indra—wielder of the thunderbolt—together with the Maruts, slew Vṛtra; and likewise he struck down the formidable Namuci and the rākṣasī Dīrghajihvā.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that formidable wrongdoing is best overcome through unity and rightful resolve: when protectors of dharma act together (Indra with the Maruts), even seemingly invincible threats to order can be removed.
Mārkaṇḍeya recounts earlier divine victories: Indra, bearing the vajra, supported by the Maruts, killed Vṛtra, and also destroyed the fierce Namuci and the demoness Dīrghajihvā—examples of gods subduing forces hostile to the world’s stability.
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