Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
श्रीशुक उवाच इति मन्त्रोपनिषदं व्याहरन्तं समाहितम् । दृष्ट्वासुरा यातुधाना जग्धुमभ्यद्रवन् क्षुधा ॥ १७ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti mantropaniṣadaṁ vyāharantaṁ samāhitam dṛṣṭvāsurā yātudhānā jagdhum abhyadravan kṣudhā
ศรีศุกเทวกล่าวว่า: ดังนั้นสวายัมภูวะมนูจึงตั้งมั่นในสมาธิ สวดมนต์คำสอนเวทที่เรียกว่าอุปนิษัท. เมื่อพวกยักษ์รากษสและอสูรผู้หิวโหยเห็นเขา ก็หมายจะกลืนกิน จึงพุ่งไล่ตามด้วยความเร็วสูง.
FAQs
This verse shows a devotee or sage remaining fully composed while reciting a sacred mantra, even as hostile beings rush to harm him—highlighting the spiritual power and steadiness cultivated through mantra and absorption.
Yātudhānas are described as fierce, man-eating demonic beings (rākṣasa-like). Here they are grouped with asuras and portrayed as driven by hunger to devour the saintly person.
When facing fear or aggression, practice steadiness (samādhi-like focus) through japa, prayer, and disciplined remembrance of the Divine, responding from inner composure rather than panic.