Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.19.4
स तदा लब्धतीर्थोऽपि न बबाधे निरायुधम् ।
मानयन् स मृधे धर्मं विष्वक्सेनं प्रकोपयन् ॥ ४ ॥
sa tadā labdha-tīrtho ’pi
[sa tadaa labdha-teertho ’pi]
na babādhe nirāyudham
[na babaadhe niraayudham]
mānayan sa mṛdhe dharmaṁ
[maanayan sa mridhe dharmam]
viṣvaksenaṁ prakopayan
[vishvaksenam prakopayan]
Word-for-word
saḥ
—
that Hiraṇyākṣa
tadā
—
then
labdha-tīrthaḥ
—
having gained an excellent opportunity
api
—
although
na
—
not
babādhe
—
attacked
nirāyudham
—
having no weapon
mānayan
—
respecting
saḥ
—
Hiraṇyākṣa
mṛdhe
—
in battle
dharmam
—
the code of combat
viṣvaksenam
—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
prakopayan
—
making angry.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sa tadā labdha-tīrtho ’pi
saḥ
that Hiraṇyākṣa
tadā
then
labdha-tīrthaḥ
having gained an excellent opportunity
api
although
na babādhe nirāyudham
na
not
babādhe
attacked
nirāyudham
having no weapon
mānayan sa mṛdhe dharmaṁ
mānayan
respecting
saḥ
Hiraṇyākṣa
mṛdhe
in battle
dharmam
the code of combat
viṣvaksenaṁ prakopayan
viṣvaksenam
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
prakopayan
making angry.
Even though the demon had an excellent opportunity to strike his unarmed foe without obstruction, he respected the law of single combat, thereby kindling the fury of the Supreme Lord.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Though the demon now had the opportunity, he did not strike the Lord who was without a weapon. He respected the rules of fighting and made the Lord angry by this.
Though the demon had the opportunity he did not strike the Lord. The reason is given. He accepted the rules of fighting. He made the Lord angry by this. “Because you know that I am in trouble, by making my club fall by the strength of your arms, you display your sense of dharma, and do not strike me. See! In a moment’s time, I will take the club along with your life!”
Personal Guidance
The demon, though able to strike his unarmed foe, honors the law of single combat — and this very ethic kindles the Lord's fury. Even an enemy's moment of honor is recognized. Ethical conduct, even from opponents, is itself a calling forth of divine response.
Reflection Questions
- Do I honor the rules of fair contest even when I could win unfairly?
- What might my opponents' moments of honor be inviting in me?
My note
Source: vedabase.io