Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 23

Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इति ब्रुवाणावन्योन्यं धर्मजिज्ञासया नृप । युयुधाते महावीर्याविन्द्रवृत्रौ युधाम्पती ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca iti bruvāṇāv anyonyaṁ dharma-jijñāsayā nṛpa yuyudhāte mahā-vīryāv indra-vṛtrau yudhām patī

Translation

ശ്രീ ശുകദേവ ഗോസ്വാമി പറഞ്ഞു: ഹേ രാജാവേ, വൃത്രാസുരനും ഇന്ദ്രനും യുദ്ധക്കളത്തിൽ വെച്ചുപോലും ഭക്തിയെക്കുറിച്ച് സംസാരിക്കുകയും, പിന്നീട് കർത്തവ്യബോധത്തോടെ വീണ്ടും യുദ്ധം ആരംഭിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.

Synonyms

• श्रीशुकः: Śrī Śuka
• श्रीशुकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीशुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (श्रीमान् शुकः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्तिसूचक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• ब्रुवाणौ: (the two) speaking
• ब्रुवाणौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• अन्योन्यम्: to each other / mutually
• अन्योन्यम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण (reciprocal adverbial use); रूपतः नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• धर्मजिज्ञासया: with the desire to know dharma
• धर्मजिज्ञासया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म-जिज्ञासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (धर्मस्य जिज्ञासा)

• नृप: O king
• नृप: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• युयुधाते: the two fought
• युयुधाते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), द्विवचन; आत्मनेपद

• महावीर्यौ: of great prowess (two)
• महावीर्यौ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; कर्मधारय (महच्च तत् वीर्यम् यस्य)

• इन्द्रवृत्रौ: Indra and Vṛtra
• इन्द्रवृत्रौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र-वृत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (इन्द्रश्च वृत्रश्च)

• युधाम्: of battles
• युधाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्/युधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• पती: lords/masters
• पती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Vṛtrāsura (Vṛtra)
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about dharma-jijñāsā (inquiring into dharma)?

This verse shows that even amidst conflict, elevated persons inquire into dharma—seeking the deeper truth of righteousness, duty, and spiritual purpose, not merely victory.

Why are Indra and Vṛtrāsura described as speaking about dharma and then fighting again?

Because their encounter is not only a physical battle but also a moral and spiritual confrontation; after exchanging principles about duty and higher purpose, they resume the ordained combat.

How can this verse be applied in modern life when facing conflict?

Before reacting, seek clarity on what is truly right (dharma) and act with courage and integrity—letting principle guide action rather than ego or impulse.