Shloka 5
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
यदि व: प्रधने श्रद्धा सारं वा क्षुल्लका हृदि । अग्रे तिष्ठत मात्रं मे न चेद ग्राम्यसुखे स्पृहा ॥ ५ ॥
yadi vaḥ pradhane śraddhā sāraṁ vā kṣullakā hṛdi agre tiṣṭhata mātraṁ me na ced grāmya-sukhe spṛhā
Ô demi-dieux insignifiants ! Si, au combat, vous avez une foi véritable en votre vaillance, si la patience demeure au fond de vos cœurs et si vous ne convoitez pas les plaisirs des sens, tenez-vous un instant devant moi.
Rebuking the demigods, Vṛtrāsura challenged, “O demigods, if you are actually heroes, stand before me now and try to show your prowess. If you do not wish to fight, if you are afraid of losing your lives, I shall not kill you, for unlike you, I am not so evil minded as to kill persons who are neither heroic nor willing to fight. If you have faith in your heroism, please stand before me.”
FAQs
This verse contrasts genuine courage and conviction with craving for grāmya-sukha, implying that attachment to ordinary pleasure makes one unfit for higher duty and spiritual purpose.
In the battle narrative of Canto 6, Vṛtrāsura addresses the opposing warriors, testing whether they possess real resolve and honor or are motivated by fear and desire for comfort.
Choose principle over comfort: when facing a duty—spiritual practice, integrity, or service—act with conviction instead of retreating into convenience and distraction.