Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 35
Paraśurāma, Kārtavīryārjuna, and the Kāmadhenu Offense
with Lunar-line Genealogy to Gādhi and Jamadagni
कृत्तबाहो: शिरस्तस्य गिरे: शृङ्गमिवाहरत् । हते पितरि तत्पुत्रा अयुतं दुद्रुवुर्भयात् ॥ ३५ ॥ अग्निहोत्रीमुपावर्त्य सवत्सां परवीरहा । समुपेत्याश्रमं पित्रे परिक्लिष्टां समर्पयत् ॥ ३६ ॥
kṛtta-bāhoḥ śiras tasya gireḥ śṛṅgam ivāharat hate pitari tat-putrā ayutaṁ dudruvur bhayāt
パラシュラーマは山の頂のように彼の首を切り落とした。父が殺されたのを見て、息子たちは恐怖で逃げ出した。その後、彼は苦しんでいたカマドゥヘヌ牛を父ジャマダグニのもとへ連れ帰った。
FAQs
This verse shows swift reversal of power: when a ruler like Kṛttabāhu is slain, even a vast following (ten thousand sons) collapses into fear—illustrating how adharma and loss of divine favor lead to sudden downfall.
With their protector gone and the opposing warrior demonstrating overwhelming strength, they lost courage and ran—highlighting the fragility of worldly security when leadership falls.
Relying only on power, position, or numbers is unstable; real security comes from righteous conduct (dharma) and inner steadiness rather than external dominance.