Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 16
Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa
विष्वग्विवर्धमानं तमिषुमात्रं दिने दिने । दग्धशैलप्रतीकाशं सन्ध्याभ्रानीकवर्चसम् ॥ १३ ॥ तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुं मध्याह्नार्कोग्रलोचनम् ॥ १४ ॥ देदीप्यमाने त्रिशिखे शूल आरोप्य रोदसी । नृत्यन्तमुन्नदन्तं च चालयन्तं पदा महीम् ॥ १५ ॥ दरीगम्भीरवक्त्रेण पिबता च नभस्तलम् । लिहता जिह्वयर्क्षाणि ग्रसता भुवनत्रयम् ॥ १६ ॥ महता रौद्रदंष्ट्रेण जृम्भमाणं मुहुर्मुहु: । वित्रस्ता दुद्रुवुर्लोका वीक्ष्य सर्वे दिशो दश ॥ १७ ॥
viṣvag vivardhamānaṁ tam iṣu-mātraṁ dine dine dagdha-śaila-pratīkāśaṁ sandhyābhrānīka-varcasam
巨大で凶暴な牙と、幾度も繰り返すあくびを見て、衆生はみな恐怖に震えた。心乱れて、十方へ散り散りに逃げ去った。
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes a terrifying, cosmic-scale vision—so immense it appears to drink the sky, lick the stars, and devour the three worlds—conveying overwhelming power and dread in the battle narrative.
He uses vivid, cosmic imagery to communicate the magnitude of the conflict and the awe it inspired, helping Parīkṣit grasp how extraordinary and fearsome the scene appeared to all beings.
It reminds one that worldly power and terror can appear limitless, yet the devotee’s shelter is steadiness in remembrance of the Supreme, not panic before overwhelming circumstances.