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 ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “O minamahal, O Keśava—kapwa ang nakapanghihilakbot na cakra ni Viṣṇu at ang vajra (kulog na sandata) ni Ākhāṇḍala (Indra) ay minsang napudpod at nabasag sa mga sangkap ng Graha na iyon. Ito ang diwa: kahit ang pinakadakilang sandatang makalangit ay maaaring mawalan ng bisa kapag ang isang nilalang ay pinangangalagaan ng pambihirang kapangyarihan; kaya huwag umasa sa lakas lamang, kundi hanapin ang wastong paraan at ang mas mataas na kaayusang nagtatakda ng tagumpay.”
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.