Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 30
The Rise of Soma-vaṁśa: Budha’s Birth and Purūravā–Urvaśī; The Origin of Karma-kāṇḍa in Tretā-yuga
इति वाक्सायकैर्बिद्ध: प्रतोत्त्रैरिव कुञ्जर: । निशि निस्त्रिंशमादाय विवस्त्रोऽभ्यद्रवद् रुषा ॥ ३० ॥
iti vāk-sāyakair biddhaḥ pratottrair iva kuñjaraḥ niśi nistriṁśam ādāya vivastro ’bhyadravad ruṣā
Transpercé par les « flèches » des paroles d’Urvaśī, Purūravā, tel un éléphant piqué par l’aiguillon de son cornac, s’embrasa de colère. Dans la nuit, il saisit son épée et, sans même se vêtir correctement, courut presque nu à la poursuite des Gandharvas voleurs d’agneaux.
FAQs
This verse compares cutting speech to arrows that pierce the heart, showing that words can provoke intense agitation and loss of self-control.
Just as an elephant, when prodded, can become uncontrollable, a person wounded by insulting speech may be driven into blind rage and reckless action.
It warns to avoid both cruel speech and impulsive reactions—practice restraint, pause before responding, and cultivate forgiveness to prevent anger from escalating into harmful acts.