Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 31
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
तदापतद् गगनतले महाजवंविचिच्छिदे हरिरिषुभि: सहस्रधा । तमाहनन्नृप कुलिशेन कन्धरेरुषान्वितस्त्रिदशपति: शिरो हरन् ॥ ३१ ॥
tadāpatad gagana-tale mahā-javaṁ vicicchide harir iṣubhiḥ sahasradhā tam āhanan nṛpa kuliśena kandhare ruṣānvitas tridaśa-patiḥ śiro haran
Wahai Raja, ketika Indra, Raja surga, melihat tombak yang sangat kuat ini jatuh ke tanah bagaikan meteor yang menyala, ia segera memotongnya menjadi berkeping-keping dengan panah-panahnya. Kemudian, dengan sangat marah, ia memukul bahu Namuci dengan halilintarnya untuk memenggal kepala Namuci.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a fast, formidable weapon can be shattered by Hari’s arrows, indicating the Supreme Lord’s mastery over all celestial powers and armaments.
In the heat of the Deva–Asura conflict, Indra—overcome by anger—attempted to stop Hari by striking Him with the vajra, aiming to disable Him by targeting His shoulder and even seeking to sever His head.
It teaches steadiness: worldly “weapons” like fear, anger, and sudden crises can be met with composure and divine shelter, remembering that the highest protection is alignment with dharma and devotion to Hari.