Shloka 23
Dadhīci’s Supreme Charity and the Opening of Indra’s War with Vṛtrāsura
शूलै: परश्वधै: खड्गै: शतघ्नीभिर्भुशुण्डिभि: । सर्वतोऽवाकिरन् शस्त्रैरस्त्रैश्च विबुधर्षभान् ॥ २३ ॥
śūlaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ śataghnībhir bhuśuṇḍibhiḥ sarvato ’vākiran śastrair astraiś ca vibudharṣabhān
Armés de lances, tridents, haches, épées et d’armes telles que les śataghnī et les bhuśuṇḍi, les asuras attaquèrent de toutes parts et mirent en déroute les chefs des armées des devas.
FAQs
This verse depicts the intensity of the conflict: the demigod leaders are attacked from all directions with many kinds of weapons—both hand weapons (śastra) and projectile weapons (astra).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the account of the demigods’ battle with Vṛtrāsura’s side.
Even when challenges come from all sides, one should remain steady in one’s rightful duty (dharma) and seek inner composure—remembering that external pressure does not have to defeat spiritual resolve.