Shloka 5

The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins

Devanagari script

शङ्खनादेन यन्त्राणि हृदयानि मनस्विनाम् । प्राकारं गदया गुर्व्या निर्बिभेद गदाधर: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

śaṅkha-nādena yantrāṇi hṛdayāni manasvinām prākāraṁ gadayā gurvyā nirbibheda gadādharaḥ

Translation

ガダーダラなる主は法螺貝の響きで砦の魔的な封印を砕き、勇敢な守備者たちの心胆をも打ち震わせた。さらに重き棍棒で周囲の土塁と城壁を打ち壊された。

Synonyms

• śaṅkha-nādena: by the conch-sound
• śaṅkha-nādena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + nāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular); तत्पुरुष (śaṅkhasya nādena)

• yantrāṇi: machines/engines
• yantrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• hṛdayāni: hearts
• hṛdayāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hṛdaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• manasvinām: of the proud/spirited ones
• manasvinām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive, 6th), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• prākāram: the rampart/wall
• prākāram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• gadayā: with the mace
• gadayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• gurvyā: mighty/heavy
• gurvyā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Tṛtīyā vibhakti (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular); feminine of ‘heavy/mighty’, agreeing with gadayā

• nirbibheda: smashed, broke through
• nirbibheda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√bhid (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada

• gadādharaḥ: the mace-bearer (Kṛṣṇa)
• gadādharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक, from √dhṛ)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); तत्पुरुष (gadāṃ dharati iti)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa (Gadādhara)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna breaking the fortress of Narakasura?

This verse describes Kṛṣṇa’s conch-blast shaking the defenders and His heavy club smashing the fortress wall, showing His irresistible divine strength in protecting the oppressed.

Why is Krishna called Gadadhara in this verse?

He is called Gadādhara because He bears and wields the gadā (club), here used to break open the enemy’s rampart during the battle.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It reminds a devotee that inner “fortresses” of fear and pride can be broken by taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa—hearing His glories and relying on His strength rather than one’s own ego.