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
Nagpatuloy si Śukadeva: Si Svāyambhuva Manu ay nakalubog sa samādhi, binibigkas ang mga mantrang Veda na kilala bilang Upaniṣad. Nang makita siya, ang mga rākṣasa at asura na gutom na gutom ay nais siyang lamunin; kaya mabilis silang humabol sa kanya.
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.