Shloka 16
नरकासुरवधः, अदीतिकुण्डल-प्रत्यर्पणम्, तथा भारावतरण-लीला
प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरस्यासीत् समन्ताच् छतयोजनम् आचिता मौरवैः पाशैः क्षुरान्तैर् भूर् द्विजोत्तम
prāgjyotiṣapurasyāsīt samantāc chatayojanam ācitā mauravaiḥ pāśaiḥ kṣurāntair bhūr dvijottama
O best of the twice-born, the land around the city of Prāgjyotiṣa extended a hundred yojanas in every direction, and it was densely set with Māurava nooses—as though encircling it—whose ends were sharp as razors, a dreadful snare guarding that stronghold.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Kṛṣṇa advances toward Prāgjyotiṣa despite its lethal defenses, to overcome Naraka (Bhaumāsura) and dismantle his adharma.
Leela: Yuddha
Dharma Restored: Breaking asuric fortifications that obstruct righteous rule and safety
Concept: Adharma often protects itself through fearsome systems of harm, yet it remains destined to be undone by steadfast dharmic power.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Do not be deterred by intimidating structures of wrongdoing; proceed with courage, clarity, and ethical resolve.
Vishishtadvaita: The world’s hostile forces are real within the Lord’s order, yet ultimately subordinate to Bhagavān’s governance—affirming both reality of the cosmos and divine supremacy.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
Prāgjyotiṣa is portrayed as a formidable royal stronghold, emphasizing how oppressive power can be fortified by fearsome defenses—yet remains ultimately subject to the higher cosmic sovereignty upheld through Vishnu’s order.
He describes a vast surrounding region (a hundred yojanas) densely set with razor-ended nooses (pāśas), highlighting the city’s near-impenetrability within the narrative of kings and conflicts.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana’s frame implies that all worldly fortresses and coercive power operate within—and are finally overcome by—the supreme governance of the Divine, with Vishnu as the ultimate ground of order.