Shloka 61
स्वर्गगमनम्, अदितिस्तुतिः-मायातत्त्वम्, तथा पारिजात-प्रसङ्गे इन्द्रयुद्धम्
साध्या विश्वे च मरुतो गन्धर्वाश् चैव सायकैः शार्ङ्गेण प्रेरितैर् अस्ता व्योम्नि शाल्मलितूलवत्
sādhyā viśve ca maruto gandharvāś caiva sāyakaiḥ śārṅgeṇa preritair astā vyomni śālmalitūlavat
Struck down by the arrows loosed from Śārṅga, the Sādhyas, the Viśvedevas, the Maruts, and the Gandharvas fell in the sky—scattered and sinking like tufts of śālmali-cotton drifting in the heavens.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna demonstrates irresistible divine sovereignty by felling celestial collectives with his bow, protecting the ordained flow of his dharma-establishing līlā.
Leela: Yuddha
Dharma Restored: Cosmic order where even heavenly assemblies submit to the Supreme; cessation of deva-interference rooted in pride or faction.
Concept: The Supreme’s will prevails effortlessly over collective powers; devotion rests on the Lord’s unmatched śakti rather than worldly alliances.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: When overwhelmed by ‘many forces,’ steady the mind through remembrance of the Lord’s protecting power and act without panic.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s weapons (Śārṅga) signify personal, purposive intervention—transcendent sovereignty expressed immanently within the world.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
It underscores that even exalted celestial classes are subject to the Lord’s command; their defeat dramatizes Krishna/Vishnu’s supreme sovereignty over all cosmic ranks.
By presenting the arrows of Śārṅga as irresistibly effective, Parāśara conveys that the Lord’s will, once set in motion, effortlessly overcomes even heavenly forces.
The verse frames Krishna as Bhagavan whose authority transcends devas and celestial beings, aligning with Vaishnava theology where Vishnu is the ultimate governor of universal order.