Vamana Purana — Prahlada vs Nara-Narayana, Shloka 61
Prahlada’s Defeat by Nara-Narayana and Victory through Bhakti
ततः पतत्त्रिभिर्वीरौ सुभृशं नरदानवौ युद्धे वरास्त्रैर्युध्येतां घोररूपैः परस्परम्
tataḥ patattribhirvīrau subhṛśaṃ naradānavau yuddhe varāstrairyudhyetāṃ ghorarūpaiḥ parasparam
Puis ces deux héros—l’homme et le Dānava—s’affrontèrent avec une extrême âpreté, au milieu des volées de flèches, se frappant l’un l’autre de missiles excellents à l’aspect redoutable.
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FAQs
Even when conflict becomes intense (subhṛśam), the Purāṇic ethic frames battle as governed by order—heroes employ recognized astras rather than chaotic violence, implying that power should remain within dharma-bound restraint.
Primarily Vamśānucarita/Carita (narrative of renowned figures and their deeds), with a subsidiary didactic function through exemplifying dharmic conduct in warfare.
The mutual exchange of ‘ghorarūpa’ astras externalizes the inner clash between divine order and daityic resistance; the ‘winged missiles’ imagery suggests the rapidity of karmic consequence when adharma confronts the divine.