Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 8
Āgnīdhra Meets Pūrvacitti and Begets the Nine Sons of Jambūdvīpa
बाणाविमौ भगवत: शतपत्रपत्रौशान्तावपुङ्खरुचिरावतितिग्मदन्तौ । कस्मै युयुङ्क्षसि वने विचरन्न विद्म:क्षेमाय नो जडधियां तव विक्रमोऽस्तु ॥ ८ ॥
bāṇāv imau bhagavataḥ śata-patra-patrau śāntāv apuṅkha-rucirāv ati-tigma-dantau kasmai yuyuṅkṣasi vane vicaran na vidmaḥ kṣemāya no jaḍa-dhiyāṁ tava vikramo ’stu
Āgnīdhra berkata: Wahai sahabat, dua mata pandanganmu bagaikan dua anak panah Bhagavān yang sangat kuat. Bulu panahnya laksana kelopak teratai seratus helai; tanpa batang pun tetap indah dan berhujung amat tajam. Tampak damai, seolah takkan dilepaskan pada siapa pun. Engkau berkeliaran di hutan ini hendak menembakkannya kepada siapa, aku tak mengerti; buddhi-ku tumpul, aku tak sanggup melawanmu. Semoga keperkasaanmu menjadi keselamatan bagiku.
Āgnīdhra thus began appreciating Pūrvacitti’s powerful glance upon him. He compared her glancing eyes to very sharp arrows. Although her eyes were as beautiful as lotuses, they were simultaneously like shaftless arrows, and Āgnīdhra was therefore afraid of them. He hoped that her glances upon him would be favorable because he was already captivated and the more captivated he became the more impossible it would be for him to remain without her. Āgnīdhra therefore prayed to Pūrvacitti that her glances at him would be auspicious, not futile. In other words, he prayed that she would become his wife.
FAQs
The sons of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva praise His divine power symbolized by His arrows and pray that His prowess protect them, admitting their own limited understanding.
They address Him in reverence, observing His divine, warrior-like attributes even in a forest setting, and they turn that vision into a prayer for their welfare.
It teaches humility and dependence on divine protection—recognizing our limitations and sincerely praying for guidance and safety under the Lord’s strength.