Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

न शुष्केण न चार्द्रेण जहार नमुचे: शिर: । तं तुष्टुवुर्मुनिगणा माल्यैश्चावाकिरन्विभुम् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

na śuṣkeṇa na cārdreṇa jahāra namuceḥ śiraḥ taṁ tuṣṭuvur muni-gaṇā mālyaiś cāvākiran vibhum

Translation

ତେବେ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ର ନ ଶୁଷ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା, ନ ଆର୍ଦ୍ର ଦ୍ୱାରା; ଫେନ ଦ୍ୱାରା ନମୁଚିର ଶିର କାଟିଦେଲେ। ପରେ ମୁନିଗଣ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହୋଇ ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ତୁତି କଲେ ଏବଂ ପୁଷ୍ପ-ମାଳା ବର୍ଷା କରି ତାଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାୟ ଢାକିଦେଲେ।

Synonyms

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• शुष्केण: with a dry (thing)
• शुष्केण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuṣka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; used substantively

• न: nor
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• आर्द्रेण: with a wet (thing)
• आर्द्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ārdra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; used substantively

• जहार: took away, cut off
• जहार: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• नमुचेः: of Namuci
• नमुचेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: namuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; referring to विभुम्/इन्द्रम्

• तुष्टुवुः: praised
• तुष्टुवुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √stu (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• मुनि-गणाः: groups of sages
• मुनि-गणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (तत्पुरुष) ‘group of sages’; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• माल्यैः: with garlands
• माल्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle

• अवाकिरन्: showered, scattered
• अवाकिरन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• विभुम्: the mighty one
• विभुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; epithet of Indra

Purport

In this regard, the śruti-mantras say, apāṁ phenena namuceḥ śira indro ’dārayat: Indra killed Namuci with watery foam, which is neither moist nor dry.

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Namuci
• Munis (sages)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Indra killing Namuci without dry or wet?

This verse states that Indra severed Namuci’s head in a way that was neither dry nor wet—fulfilling the condition of Namuci’s boon while still defeating him.

Why did the sages praise Indra after Namuci was killed?

Because Indra overcame a seemingly impossible protection (the ‘not dry, not wet’ condition) and restored the devas’ position; the sages honored this divinely guided victory by offering praise and garlands.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

When facing constraints and “no-win” situations, remain faithful to principles and seek wise, creative solutions rather than giving up or compromising integrity.