Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 30
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath, the Assault on Vedic Culture, and the Boy-Yamarāja’s Teaching on the Soul
विशीर्णरत्नकवचं विभ्रष्टाभरणस्रजम् । शरनिर्भिन्नहृदयं शयानमसृगाविलम् ॥ २९ ॥ प्रकीर्णकेशं ध्वस्ताक्षं रभसा दष्टदच्छदम् । रज:कुण्ठमुखाम्भोजं छिन्नायुधभुजं मृधे ॥ ३० ॥ उशीनरेन्द्रं विधिना तथा कृतं पतिं महिष्य: प्रसमीक्ष्य दु:खिता: । हता: स्म नाथेति करैरुरो भृशं घ्नन्त्यो मुहुस्तत्पदयोरुपापतन् ॥ ३१ ॥
viśīrṇa-ratna-kavacaṁ vibhraṣṭābharaṇa-srajam śara-nirbhinna-hṛdayaṁ śayānam asṛg-āvilam
Son armure d’or sertie de joyaux était brisée; ses ornements et guirlandes avaient glissé; le cœur transpercé par les flèches ennemies, le corps couvert de sang, le roi gisait sur le champ de bataille. Les cheveux épars, les yeux sans éclat; dans l’élan de montrer sa vaillance, il s’était mordu les lèvres, les dents demeurant ainsi; son visage de lotus s’était noirci sous la poussière, et ses bras armés étaient tranchés et brisés. Voyant leur époux en cet état, les reines du souverain d’Uśīnara, accablées, s’écrièrent : « Ô seigneur, puisque tu es tué, nous sommes tuées aussi ! » Répétant ces mots, elles se frappèrent la poitrine et s’effondrèrent à ses pieds.
As stated here, rabhasā daṣṭa-dacchadam: the dead King, while fighting in anger, bit his lips to show his prowess, but nonetheless he was killed by providence ( vidhinā ). This proves that we are controlled by higher authorities; our personal power or endeavor is not always supreme. We must therefore accept the position offered to us by the order of the Supreme.
FAQs
It shows that even royal splendor—armor, jewels, garlands—becomes meaningless at death; the body falls, reminding the listener to seek lasting shelter in the Lord rather than temporary glory.
The verse describes the fallen Uśīnara king (Suyajña), seen after being killed in battle.
It encourages detachment: don’t build identity on status and possessions; cultivate devotion and virtue, which remain valuable beyond changing circumstances.