Shloka 4
Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
छिन्नैकबाहु: परिघेण वृत्र: संरब्ध आसाद्य गृहीतवज्रम् । हनौ तताडेन्द्रमथामरेभं वज्रं च हस्तान्न्यपतन्मघोन: ॥ ४ ॥
chinnaika-bāhuḥ parigheṇa vṛtraḥ saṁrabdha āsādya gṛhīta-vajram hanau tatāḍendram athāmarebhaṁ vajraṁ ca hastān nyapatan maghonaḥ
Embora lhe tivessem decepado um braço, Vṛtrāsura, enfurecido, avançou contra Indra, o portador do vajra, e golpeou-lhe a mandíbula com uma maça de ferro; também atingiu Airāvata, o elefante que o conduzia. Assim, o vajra caiu da mão de Indra.
FAQs
This verse describes Vṛtra continuing the fight with intense resolve, charging with a club and striking Airāvata so powerfully that Indra’s thunderbolt slips and falls—showing his extraordinary prowess despite injury.
According to this verse, the force of Vṛtrāsura’s blow on Airāvata’s jaw caused the shock and disruption by which the vajra dropped from Indra’s hand during the combat.
The verse highlights unwavering effort despite setbacks—encouraging steadiness and courage in one’s duty, while remembering that outcomes ultimately unfold under higher providence.