Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 27

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

Devanagari script

निरीक्ष्य पृतनां देव: परैरभ्यर्दितां रणे । उदयच्छद् रिपुं हन्तुं वज्रं वज्रधरो रुषा ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

nirīkṣya pṛtanāṁ devaḥ parair abhyarditāṁ raṇe udayacchad ripuṁ hantuṁ vajraṁ vajra-dharo ruṣā

Translation

Lorsque Indra, connu sous le nom de Vajra-dhara, le porteur de la foudre, vit ses propres soldats si opprimés par les ennemis sur le champ de bataille, il entra dans une grande colère. Ainsi, il leva sa foudre pour tuer les ennemis.

Synonyms

• nirīkṣya: having observed
• nirīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √īkṣ with prefix nir-; ‘having seen/observed’

• pṛtanām: the army
• pṛtanām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛtanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• devaḥ: the god (Indra)
• devaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• paraiḥ: by the enemies/others
• paraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• abhyarditām: assailed/pressed hard
• abhyarditām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi-ard (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine (स्त्री), Accusative (2nd), Singular; agrees with pṛtanām

• raṇe: in battle
• raṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• udayacchat: raised
• udayacchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-yañc (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada; ‘raised/held up’

• ripuṁ: the enemy
• ripuṁ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ripu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• hantuṁ: to slay
• hantuṁ: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), ‘to kill’

• vajram: the thunderbolt
• vajram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd), Singular

• vajra-dharaḥ: the thunderbolt-bearer
• vajra-dharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘vajrasya dharaḥ’

• ruṣā: with anger
• ruṣā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ruṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Vajradhara)

FAQs

Why did Indra raise his thunderbolt (vajra) in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 8?

Because he saw the devas’ army being overwhelmed by the enemy in battle, and in anger he lifted the vajra to strike the opposing force.

Who is speaking this verse in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.11.27?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the battle account to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

What practical lesson can we take from Indra’s reaction in this verse?

It highlights decisive action in protecting one’s duty-bound side, while also reminding readers that anger can arise even in righteous conflict and should be guided by dharma.