Shloka 37
बाणयुद्धम्, हरिहरसंवादः, ज्वरप्रकरणम्, अनिरुद्धमोचनम्
Bāṇa’s War, the Jvara Episode, Hari–Hara Dialogue, and Aniruddha’s Release
ताम् अग्रतो हरिर् दृष्ट्वा मीलिताक्षः सुदर्शनम् मुमोच बाणम् उद्दिश्य छेत्तुं बाहुवनं रिपोः
tām agrato harir dṛṣṭvā mīlitākṣaḥ sudarśanam mumoca bāṇam uddiśya chettuṃ bāhuvanaṃ ripoḥ
Seeing her standing before him, Hari—his eyes half-closed in unwavering concentration—released the Sudarśana like a missile, aiming to sever the enemy’s forest-like multitude of arms.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna, undistracted by Koṭavī’s obstructive display, releases Sudarśana to disable Bāṇa’s many arms and end his violent capacity.
Leela: Yuddha
Dharma Restored: Neutralization of oppressive force through precise divine intervention
Concept: Divine action is marked by inner steadiness (akṣa-mīlana-like composure) even amid provocations, revealing mastery over senses and mind.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Cultivate focused attention in prayer and work; do not let sensational distractions derail righteous duty.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s composure displays transcendence while acting within the world—immanent engagement without being conditioned by worldly provocations.
Vishnu Form: Hari
FAQs
In this verse, Sudarśana functions as Vishnu’s instrument of cosmic order—an embodiment of divine sovereignty that cuts down the proliferating force of adharma (here pictured as a ‘forest of arms’).
Parāśara presents Vishnu’s intervention as purposeful and measured: Hari acts with concentrated steadiness and targets the source of violent power, showing that kingship and history remain under the governance of the Supreme.
Vishnu is depicted not merely as a warrior-deity but as the Supreme Preserver whose will restores balance—his weapon becomes a metaphysical act of re-establishing dharma in the world.