Shloka 6

केशीवधः तथा ‘केशव’ नामप्रसिद्धिः

Devanagari script

किम् अनेनाल्पसारेण हेषिताटोपकारिणा दैतेयबलवाह्येन वल्गता दुष्टवाजिना

Transliteration

kim anenālpasāreṇa heṣitāṭopakāriṇā daiteyabalavāhyena valgatā duṣṭavājinā

Translation

What use is this wicked horse—so scant in true strength, yet making a loud show with neighing and swagger—dragging along the Daityas’ might and prancing about in vain?

Word by Word

• किम्: what (use)?
• किम्: Prashna (Interrogative/प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय — interrogative particle (what [need]?)

• अनेन: with this
• अनेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular (by/with this)

• अल्पसारेण: of little substance/strength
• अल्पसारेण: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; समासः कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (अल्पः सारः यस्य/अल्पसारः = of little strength)

• हेषिताटोपकारिणा: making a show by neighing
• हेषिताटोपकारिणा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेषित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + आटोप (प्रातिपदिक) + कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (हेषितेन आटोपः; तं करोति)

• दैतेयबलवाह्येन: driven by the demon’s strength
• दैतेयबलवाह्येन: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दैतेय (प्रातिपदिक) + बल (प्रातिपदिक) + वाह्य (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √वह्, to be carried/borne)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (दैतेयस्य बलं; तेन वाह्यः = driven/borne by demon-force)

• वल्गता: prancing/leaping
• वल्गता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वल्गत् (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √वल्ग्, present participle)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त (present participle)

• दुष्टवाजिना: by the wicked horse
• दुष्टवाजिना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + वाजिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular; कर्मधारयः (दुष्टः वाजी)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya; the verse is framed as a taunt/derision within the episode)

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: To expose the hollowness of demonic intimidation and prepare to neutralize Keśin’s threat.

Leela: Dharma-upadesa

Dharma Restored: Discernment that loud menace without true power cannot overturn divine order.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Do not mistake noise and display for real strength; discern substance from intimidation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: In conflicts, evaluate evidence and capability rather than reacting to bluster or propaganda.

Vishishtadvaita: Because the world is governed by the Lord, adharma’s apparent dominance is often only ‘show’; the devotee can remain steady in trust.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Krishna

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Daityas

FAQs

What is the significance of boastful display (āṭopa) in this Vishnu Purana verse?

The verse contrasts loud show with genuine strength, implying that pride and noise are empty when not grounded in real power or righteous order.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the difference between true strength and borrowed might here?

By depicting the horse as “little in substance” yet “carried by Daitya strength,” the narrative underscores that apparent power can be dependent and therefore unstable.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Purana’s worldview frames lasting sovereignty as belonging to the divine order upheld by Vishnu; mere demonic force and arrogance are portrayed as ultimately futile.