Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9
Dhruva’s War with the Yakṣas and the Protection of the Holy Name
ते वै ललाटलग्नैस्तैरिषुभि: सर्व एव हि । मत्वा निरस्तमात्मानमाशंसन् कर्म तस्य तत् ॥ ९ ॥
te vai lalāṭa-lagnais tair iṣubhiḥ sarva eva hi matvā nirastam ātmānam āśaṁsan karma tasya tat
Voyant que les flèches de Dhruva Mahārāja se fichaient sur leurs fronts, les héros yakṣas comprirent que leur défaite était certaine. Pourtant, en hommes de vaillance, ils louèrent l’acte de Dhruva.
This spirit of fighting in a sporting attitude is very significant in this verse. The Yakṣas were severely attacked. Dhruva Mahārāja was their enemy, but still, upon witnessing the wonderful, heroic acts of Mahārāja Dhruva, they were very pleased with him. This straightforward appreciation of an enemy’s prowess is a characteristic of real kṣatriya spirit.
FAQs
This verse describes how Dhruva’s arrows struck the Yakṣas so decisively that they felt completely defeated and even praised his extraordinary prowess.
Because the arrows lodged in their foreheads and broke their resistance; realizing they could not overcome him, they acknowledged the power of his deed.
Focused determination and disciplined effort can remove obstacles so thoroughly that even opposition is forced to acknowledge excellence—when guided by higher purpose and self-control.