Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 32

Nṛsiṁhadeva Appears from the Pillar and Slays Hiraṇyakaśipu

Devanagari script

सटावधूता जलदा: परापतन् ग्रहाश्च तद् द‍ृष्टिविमुष्टरोचिष: । अम्भोधय: श्वासहता विचुक्षुभु- र्निर्ह्रादभीता दिगिभा विचुक्रुशु: ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

saṭāvadhūtā jaladāḥ parāpatan grahāś ca tad-dṛṣṭi-vimuṣṭa-rociṣaḥ ambhodhayaḥ śvāsa-hatā vicukṣubhur nirhrāda-bhītā digibhā vicukruśuḥ

Translation

那罗辛哈神的头发震散了云层，他的眼睛夺走了星辰的光芒，他的呼吸搅动了海洋。因为他的咆哮，守护各方的象群因恐惧而哭泣。

Synonyms

• saṭā-avadhūtāḥ: shaken off by (his) mane
• saṭā-avadhūtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṭā (प्रातिपदिक) + avadhūta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (saṭayā avadhūtāḥ); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; विशेषण (jaladāḥ)

• jaladāḥ: clouds
• jaladāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jalada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• parāpatan: fell down, were hurled away
• parāpatan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: parā√pat (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect); प्रथमपुरुष बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• grahāḥ: planets, celestial bodies
• grahāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: graha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• tat-dṛṣṭi-vimuṣṭa-rociṣaḥ: whose radiance was snatched away by his glance
• tat-dṛṣṭi-vimuṣṭa-rociṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम) + dṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक) + vimuṣṭa (कृदन्त) + rocis (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमास; पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; विशेषण (grahāḥ)

• ambhodhayaḥ: oceans
• ambhodhayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambhodhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• śvāsa-hatāḥ: struck by (his) breath
• śvāsa-hatāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śvāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + hata (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (śvāsena hatāḥ); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; विशेषण (ambhodhayaḥ)

• vicukṣubhuḥ: became violently agitated
• vicukṣubhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√kṣubh (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• nirhrāda-bhītāḥ: frightened by the roaring sound
• nirhrāda-bhītāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirhrāda (प्रातिपदिक) + bhīta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (nirhrādena bhītāḥ); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्; विशेषण (digibhāḥ)

• digibhāḥ: elephants of the quarters (directional elephants)
• digibhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: digibha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• vicukruśuḥ: cried out
• vicukruśuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√kruś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

Purport

As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (10.41) :

Characters & Entities

• Nṛsiṁhadeva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva?

This verse describes how even nature and the cosmic rulers react to Him—clouds scatter, luminaries lose brilliance, oceans churn, and the directional elephants cry out—showing His supreme, universe-shaking power.

Why do the planets and oceans react in fear during the Narasiṁha appearance?

Śukadeva explains that the Lord’s mane, glance, breath, and roar manifest overwhelming divine potency; the universe responds as if struck by that transcendental force.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Remembering that the Lord can subdue even the greatest powers strengthens faith and reduces fear—encouraging devotees to take shelter of bhakti when facing seemingly impossible threats.