Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
ख आपतत्तद्विचलद्ग्रहोल्कव- न्निरीक्ष्य दुष्प्रेक्ष्यमजातविक्लव: । वज्रेण वज्री शतपर्वणाच्छिनद् भुजं च तस्योरगराजभोगम् ॥ ३ ॥
kha āpatat tad vicalad graholkavan nirīkṣya duṣprekṣyam ajāta-viklavaḥ vajreṇa vajrī śata-parvaṇācchinad bhujaṁ ca tasyoraga-rāja-bhogam
En el cielo, el tridente de Vṛtrāsura parecía un meteoro resplandeciente. Aunque aquella arma ardiente era difícil de mirar, Indra, sin temor, la hizo pedazos con su rayo de cien aristas y, al mismo tiempo, cercenó uno de los brazos de Vṛtrāsura, grueso como el cuerpo de Vāsuki, rey de las serpientes.
This verse describes Indra using the śata-parva Vajra to sever Vṛtrāsura’s serpent-like arm, emphasizing the Vajra as a decisive divine weapon in the cosmic battle.
In this chapter’s battle narrative, Indra confronts Vṛtrāsura as the leader of the opposing side; this verse highlights Indra’s steadiness and his counterstrike when a terrifying weapon is hurled at him.
Even when facing something “hard to look at” (overwhelming fear or crisis), steadiness and duty-driven action—without panic—can cut through obstacles decisively.