Mahabharata 1.19.7 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 19, Shloka 7
समुद्रवर्णनम् (Description of the Ocean) — Kadrū and Vinatā approach the sea
भगवान् विष्णुने चक्रसे राहुका सिर काट दिया तच्छैलशुज्गप्रतिमं दानवस्य शिरो महत् | चक्रच्छिन्न॑ं खमुत्पत्य ननादातिभयंकरम्
śaunaka uvāca | bhagavān viṣṇunā cakreṇa rāhukaśiraḥ kāṭitaṃ tacchailaśṛṅgapratimaṃ dānavasya śiro mahat | cakracchinnaṃ kham utpatya nanādātibhayaṅkaram ||
ຊອນະກະ ກ່າວວ່າ: “ດ້ວຍຈັກຣາ ພຣະວິສນຸຜູ້ມີພຣະພອນ ໄດ້ຕັດຫົວຂອງຣາຫູ. ຫົວໃຫຍ່ຂອງດານະວະນັ້ນ ເບິ່ງຄືຍອດພູ. ເມື່ອຖືກຈັກຣາຕັດຂາດ ມັນກໍພຸ່ງຂຶ້ນສູ່ຟ້າ ແລະຮ້ອງຄໍາຮາມຢ່າງນ່າຢ້ານກົວ.”
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the restoration of cosmic order through decisive divine action: when deception or disruptive forces threaten the rightful distribution of sacred benefits, the preserver (Viṣṇu) intervenes. Ethically, it underscores that adharma may gain momentary advantage but invites swift consequence, while dharma is ultimately protected.
Śaunaka describes Viṣṇu using his discus to sever Rāhu’s head. The enormous head, likened to a mountain peak, shoots up into the sky and emits a dreadful roar, emphasizing both the power of the divine weapon and the terrifying aftermath of the act.
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