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Shloka 3

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

वज्रपाणिस्तमाहेदं तिरस्कृत्य पुर:स्थितम् । मनस्विनं सुसम्पन्नं विचरन्तं महामृधे ॥ ३ ॥

vajra-pāṇis tam āhedaṁ tiraskṛtya puraḥ-sthitam manasvinaṁ susampannaṁ vicarantaṁ mahā-mṛdhe

ശാന്തനും ക്ഷമാശീലനും യുദ്ധത്തിനുള്ള സന്നാഹങ്ങളോടെ സുസജ്ജനുമായ മഹാബലി യുദ്ധക്കളത്തിൽ ഇന്ദ്രന്റെ മുന്നിലെത്തി. കയ്യിൽ വജ്രായുധമേന്തിയ ഇന്ദ്രൻ മഹാബലിയെ ഇപ്രകാരം ശകാരിച്ചു.

vajra-pāṇiḥIndra (thunderbolt-in-hand)
vajra-pāṇiḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvajra (प्रातिपदिक) + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘vajrasya pāṇiḥ’ (one whose hand holds the thunderbolt)
tamhim
tam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular (pronoun)
āhasaid
āha:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√ah (अह्) (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada
idamthis (speech)
idam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular (pronoun)
tiraskṛtyahaving insulted / disregarding
tiraskṛtya:
Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottiraskṛ (कृदन्त; √kṛ कृ + तिरस्, ल्यप्)
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त), avyaya; ‘having disregarded/insulted’
puraḥ-sthitamstanding before (him)
puraḥ-sthitam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootpuraḥ (अव्यय) + sthita (कृदन्त; √sthā स्था + क्त)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular; avyayībhāva: ‘puraḥ sthitam’ = standing in front
manasvinamhigh-spirited
manasvinam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootmanasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
su-sampannamwell-equipped / prosperous
su-sampannam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootsu (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sampanna (कृदन्त; √pad पद् + सम्, क्त)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular; PPP used adjectivally; ‘well-endowed’
vicarantammoving about / roaming
vicarantam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootvi + √car (चर्) (धातु)
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular; present active participle (शतृ)
mahā-mṛdhein the great battle
mahā-mṛdhe:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootmahā (प्रातिपदिक) + mṛdh (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; karmadhāraya: ‘mahā mṛdh’ = great battle
I
Indra (Vajrapāṇi)

FAQs

This verse portrays Indra addressing a formidable, proud opponent—highlighting how great power and confidence can invite strong rebuke and confrontation in the struggle between dharma and adharma.

Because the foe is described as manasvī and su-sampanna—proud and well-equipped—moving freely in the great battle; Indra responds by censuring him directly as part of the escalating Deva–Asura conflict.

When facing strong opposition, remain steady and principled; do not be intimidated by someone’s display of power, and confront challenges with clarity rather than fear.