Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.5.23
शस्त्रैरस्त्रान्वितैरेवमनिर्भिन्नत्वचं हर: ।
विस्मयं परमापन्नो दध्यौ पशुपतिश्चिरम् ॥ २३ ॥
śastrair astrānvitair evam
[shastrair astraanvitair evam]
anirbhinna-tvacaṁ haraḥ
[anirbhinna-tvacham harah]
vismayaṁ param āpanno
[vismayam param aapanno]
dadhyau paśupatiś ciram
[dadhyau pashupatish chiram]
Word-for-word
śastraiḥ
—
with weapons
astra-anvitaiḥ
—
with hymns (mantras)
evam
—
thus
anirbhinna
—
not being cut
tvacam
—
the skin
haraḥ
—
Vīrabhadra
vismayam
—
bewilderment
param
—
greatest
āpannaḥ
—
was struck with
dadhyau
—
thought
paśupatiḥ
—
Vīrabhadra
ciram
—
for a long time.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śastrair astrānvitair evam
śastraiḥ
with weapons
astra-anvitaiḥ
with hymns (mantras)
evam
thus
anirbhinna-tvacaṁ haraḥ
anirbhinna
not being cut
tvacam
the skin
haraḥ
Vīrabhadra
vismayaṁ param āpanno
vismayam
bewilderment
param
greatest
āpannaḥ
was struck with
dadhyau paśupatiś ciram
dadhyau
thought
paśupatiḥ
Vīrabhadra
ciram
for a long time.
He tried to cut the head of Dakṣa with hymns as well as weapons, but still it was hard to cut even the surface of the skin of Dakṣa’s head. Thus Vīrabhadra was exceedingly bewildered.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Seeing that Dakṣa’s skin could not be cut by swords or throwing weapons, Vīrabhadra became perplexed and thought for a long time.
Śastraiḥ refers to swords and other hand weapons. Astra refers to weapons which are thrown like arrows and tridents. The word “seeing” should be supplied. Seeing that his skin could not be cut, he thought for a long time.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Hymns and weapons alike could not cut Dakṣa's skin — some karmic structures are stubborn even before divine force. Be sober: deep-rooted offense has deep-rooted protection. The way through may require unexpected means.
Reflection Questions
- What deep-rooted issue in my life resists both prayer and force?
- What unexpected means might be required to actually transform it?
My note
Source: vedabase.io