Shloka 4
कर्णेन्द्रविनिमयः
Karna–Indra Exchange of Kavaca-Kuṇḍala for the Vāsavī-Śakti
संहत्य निहतो वृत्रो मरुद्भिर्वज़पाणिना । नमुचिश्रैव दुर्धर्षो दीर्घजिह्वा च राक्षसी,वज्रपाणि इन्द्रने मरुदूगणोंके साथ मिलकर वृत्रासुर, दुर्धर्ष वीर नमुचि तथा दीर्घ॑जिद्ना राक्षमीका वध किया था
saṁhatya nihato vṛtro marudbhir vajrapāṇinā | namuciś caiva durdharṣo dīrghajihvā ca rākṣasī ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: ‘Joining forces, Indra—wielder of the thunderbolt—together with the Maruts, slew Vṛtra; and likewise he struck down the formidable Namuci and the rākṣasī Dīrghajihvā.’ The verse recalls how coordinated divine action, guided by rightful purpose, overcomes forces that threaten cosmic order.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that formidable wrongdoing is best overcome through unity and rightful resolve: when protectors of dharma act together (Indra with the Maruts), even seemingly invincible threats to order can be removed.
Mārkaṇḍeya recounts earlier divine victories: Indra, bearing the vajra, supported by the Maruts, killed Vṛtra, and also destroyed the fierce Namuci and the demoness Dīrghajihvā—examples of gods subduing forces hostile to the world’s stability.