Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 6

The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins

Devanagari script

पाञ्चजन्यध्वनिं श्रुत्वा युगान्तशनिभीषणम् । मुर: शयान उत्तस्थौ दैत्य: पञ्चशिरा जलात् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

pāñcajanya-dhvaniṁ śrutvā yugāntaśani-bhīṣaṇam muraḥ śayāna uttasthau daityaḥ pañca-śirā jalāt

Translation

Nang marinig ang panginginig ng kabibe Pāñcajanya ni Panginoong Kṛṣṇa—nakapangingilabot na parang kulog sa wakas ng panahon—nagising ang limang-ulong demonyong si Mura na natutulog sa ilalim ng moat ng lungsod, at umahon mula sa tubig.

Synonyms

• pāñcajanya-dhvanim: the sound of Pāñcajanya (conch)
• pāñcajanya-dhvanim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāñcajanya (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvani (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); तत्पुरुष (pāñcajanyasya dhvanim)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (त्वान्त, ktvā), indeclinable verbal form; ‘having heard’

• yugānta-śani-bhīṣaṇam: terrifying like the thunder at the end of an age
• yugānta-śani-bhīṣaṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yugānta (प्रातिपदिक) + śani (प्रातिपदिक) + bhīṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष, qualifying dhvanim

• muraḥ: Mura
• muraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular)

• śayānaḥ: lying down
• śayānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √śī (धातु) > śayāna (कृदन्त, śatṛ/āna participle)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); present participle, agreeing with muraḥ

• uttasthau: rose up
• uttasthau: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (Perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular), Parasmaipada; upasarga ud-

• daityaḥ: the demon
• daityaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); apposition to muraḥ

• pañca-śirāḥ: five-headed
• pañca-śirāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (अव्यय/संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); द्विगु-समास (pañca śirāṇi yasya)

• jalāt: from the water
• jalāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), Pañcamī vibhakti (Ablative, 5th), Ekavacana (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Pāñcajanya
• Mura

FAQs

What is the significance of the Pāñcajanya conch in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

In this verse, Pāñcajanya’s thunder-like roar signals Kṛṣṇa’s presence and power, striking fear into demonic forces and initiating the unfolding of His protective līlā.

Who is the demon Mura in Bhagavata Purana Canto 10?

Mura is a powerful five-headed daitya guarding the region associated with Narakāsura; upon hearing Kṛṣṇa’s conch, he awakens and rises from the waters to confront Him.

Practical application: what does this shloka teach a devotee today?

It reminds us that divine remembrance and devotion invoke inner courage—when the Lord’s presence is invoked, fear and inertia are shaken, and one can rise to face challenges with steadiness.