Dadhīci’s Supreme Charity and the Opening of Indra’s War with Vṛtrāsura
शूलै: परश्वधै: खड्गै: शतघ्नीभिर्भुशुण्डिभि: । सर्वतोऽवाकिरन् शस्त्रैरस्त्रैश्च विबुधर्षभान् ॥ २३ ॥
śūlaiḥ paraśvadhaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ śataghnībhir bhuśuṇḍibhiḥ sarvato ’vākiran śastrair astraiś ca vibudharṣabhān
ਸ਼ੂਲ, ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ੂਲ, ਪਰਸ਼ੂ, ਖੜਗ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਤਘਨੀ ਤੇ ਭੁਸ਼ੁੰਡੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਸ਼ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਦੈਤਾਂ ਨੇ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਹਮਲਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੇਵ-ਸੈਨਾ ਦੇ ਮੁਖੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਿਤਰ-ਬਿਤਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
This verse depicts the intensity of the conflict: the demigod leaders are attacked from all directions with many kinds of weapons—both hand weapons (śastra) and projectile weapons (astra).
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the account of the demigods’ battle with Vṛtrāsura’s side.
Even when challenges come from all sides, one should remain steady in one’s rightful duty (dharma) and seek inner composure—remembering that external pressure does not have to defeat spiritual resolve.