Shloka 23
इन्द्रस्य दुःखप्राप्तिः—त्रिशिरोवधः, वृत्रोत्पत्तिः, जृम्भिकाजननम्
Indra’s Distress: Slaying of Triśiras, Birth of Vṛtra, and the Origin of Yawning
अथ वैश्वानरनिभं घोररूपं भयावहम् । मुमोच वज् संक्रुद्ध: शक्रस्त्रिशिरसं प्रति
atha vaiśvānara-nibhaṃ ghora-rūpaṃ bhayāvaham | mumoca vajraṃ saṃkruddhaḥ śakras triśirasaṃ prati ||
Entonces, enfurecido, Śakra (Indra) arrojó su vajra—ardiente como Vaiśvānara (el fuego), de forma terrible y espantosa—directamente contra Triśiras. Alcanzado por aquel golpe aplastante, Triśiras cayó muerto sobre la tierra, como una cumbre de montaña quebrada por el rayo y arrojada al suelo.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral danger of anger (krodha): even rightful power, when driven by rage, becomes terrifying and destructive. It invites reflection on restraint, proportionality, and the ethical burden that accompanies the use of force.
Śakra (Indra), filled with anger, throws his blazing thunderbolt at Triśiras. The strike kills Triśiras, who collapses to the earth like a mountain-peak broken off by a thunderbolt.