Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 31
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
यतो यतोऽसौ प्रहरत्परश्वधो मनोऽनिलौजा: परचक्रसूदन: । ततस्ततश्छिन्नभुजोरुकन्धरा निपेतुरुर्व्यां हतसूतवाहना: ॥ ३१ ॥
yato yato ’sau praharat-paraśvadho mano-’nilaujāḥ para-cakra-sūdanaḥ tatas tataś chinna-bhujoru-kandharā nipetur urvyāṁ hata-sūta-vāhanāḥ
敵軍の力を討ち滅ぼすことに長けたパラシュラーマは、心と風の速さで動き、斧パラシュで斬り裂いた。彼が向かう所ごとに敵は倒れ、腕・腿・肩は断たれ、御者は討たれ、象や馬の乗り物もことごとく滅ぼされた。
In the beginning, when the army of the enemy was full of fighting soldiers, elephants and horses, Lord Paraśurāma proceeded into their midst at the speed of mind to kill them. When somewhat tired, he slowed down to the speed of wind and continued to kill the enemies vigorously. The speed of mind is greater than the speed of the wind.
FAQs
This verse depicts Paraśurāma as extraordinarily swift and unstoppable—wherever he struck with his axe, enemy warriors fell immediately, dismembered and defeated along with their charioteers and mounts.
In the narrative, Paraśurāma combats oppressive and hostile kṣatriya forces; this verse emphasizes how he annihilated opposing formations with decisive blows, earning the epithet “paracakra-sūdanaḥ.”
Unchecked arrogance and violence lead to ruin; the verse urges respect for dharma and accountability, reminding leaders and individuals that power must be restrained by righteousness.