Shloka 75
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
विष्णोश्ष॒क्रंं च तद् घोरं वज़ञमाखण्डलस्य च । शीर्ण पुराभवत् तात ग्रहस्याड्रेषु केशव
viṣṇoś cakraṃ ca tad ghoraṃ vajram ākhāṇḍalasya ca | śīrṇaṃ purābhavat tāta grahasyāṅgeṣu keśava ||
वासुदेव उवाच—तात केशव! विष्णोश्च तद्घोरं चक्रं शक्रस्य चाखण्डलस्य वज्रम् अपि, पूर्वकाले तस्य ग्रहस्याङ्गेषु पुरातनतृणवत् जीर्णं विदीर्णं चाभवत्।
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores that sheer power—even divine weaponry—does not guarantee success against a being shielded by exceptional protection; ethical and effective action requires understanding the deeper order (dharma) and choosing the proper means rather than relying only on violence.
Vāsudeva recalls an earlier episode in which Viṣṇu’s discus and Indra’s thunderbolt struck a formidable Graha, yet the weapons themselves became worn and shattered on its limbs—highlighting the Graha’s extraordinary resilience and setting up the need for a different approach.