Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 25
Bhagavān’s Avatāras, Their Protections (Poṣaṇa), and the Limits of Knowing Him
वक्ष:स्थलस्पर्शरुग्नमहेन्द्रवाह- दन्तैर्विडम्बितककुब्जुष ऊढहासम् । सद्योऽसुभि: सह विनेष्यति दारहर्तु- र्विस्फूर्जितैर्धनुष उच्चरतोऽधिसैन्ये ॥ २५ ॥
vakṣaḥ-sthala-sparśa-rugna-mahendra-vāha- dantair viḍambita-kakubjuṣa ūḍha-hāsam sadyo ’subhiḥ saha vineṣyati dāra-hartur visphūrjitair dhanuṣa uccarato ’dhisainye
Sa labanan, nabasag ang mga pangil ng elepanteng Airavata—sasakyan ni Indra—nang bumangga sa dibdib ni Ravana, at ang mga piraso nito’y tila nagliwanag sa lahat ng dako. Kaya naging palalo si Ravana, tumatawa at naglalakad sa gitna ng hukbo na wari’y mananakop ng lahat ng direksiyon; ngunit sa pag-alingawngaw ng busog ni Bhagavan Ramacandra, biglang naputol ang kanyang tawa at pati hininga ng buhay.
However powerful a living being may be, when he is condemned by God no one can save him, and, similarly, however weak one may be, if he is protected by the Lord no one can annihilate him.
FAQs
This verse foretells that the Lord, as Śrī Rāma, will destroy Rāvaṇa—the abductor of another’s wife—swiftly, while His bowstring resounds amid the enemy army.
It poetically depicts the Lord’s overwhelming prowess: even the mighty Airāvata’s tusks are broken upon His chest, and the Lord laughs—showing the enemy’s power is insignificant before Him.
It reinforces dharma: wrongdoing—especially exploitation and violation of others—ultimately meets divine justice, while surrender to the Lord’s protection strengthens moral courage.