FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.12.16

पश्य मां निर्जितं शत्रु वृक्णायुधभुजं मृधे । घटमानं यथाशक्ति तव प्राणजिहीर्षया ॥ १६ ॥
paśya māṁ nirjitaṁ śatru
[pashya maam nirjitam shatru]
vṛkṇāyudha-bhujaṁ mṛdhe
[vriknaayudha-bhujam mridhe]
ghaṭamānaṁ yathā-śakti
[ghatamaanam yathaa-shakti]
tava prāṇa-jihīrṣayā
[tava praana-jiheershayaa]
Word-for-word
paśya — look mām — at me nirjitam — already defeated śatru — O enemy vṛkṇa — cut off āyudha — my weapon bhujam — and my arm mṛdhe — in this fight ghaṭamānam — still trying yathā-śakti — according to my ability tava — of you prāṇa — the life jihīrṣayā — with the desire to take away.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
paśya māṁ nirjitaṁ śatru
paśya
look
mām
at me
nirjitam
already defeated
śatru
O enemy
vṛkṇāyudha-bhujaṁ mṛdhe
vṛkṇa
cut off
āyudha
my weapon
bhujam
and my arm
mṛdhe
in this fight
ghaṭamānaṁ yathā-śakti
ghaṭamānam
still trying
yathā-śakti
according to my ability
tava prāṇa-jihīrṣayā
tava
of you
prāṇa
the life
jihīrṣayā
with the desire to take away.
O my enemy, just look at me. I have already been defeated, for my weapon and arm have been cut to pieces. You have already overwhelmed me, but nonetheless, with a desire to kill you, I am trying my best to fight. I am not at all morose, even under such adverse conditions. Therefore you should give up your moroseness and continue fighting.
Purport

Vṛtrāsura was so great and powerful that in effect he was acting as the spiritual master of Indra. Although Vṛtrāsura was on the verge of defeat, he was not at all affected. He knew that he was going to be defeated by Indra, and he voluntarily accepted that, but since he was supposed to be Indra’s enemy, he tried his best to kill Indra. Thus he performed his duty. One should perform his duty under all circumstances, even though one may know what the result will be.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O enemy! Look at me, defeated, with weapon and arm cut off in battle, still trying to kill you. I am a good example for you (since I do not rejoice or lament in my pitiable condition.)
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Look at me — defeated, with cut arm and weapon — but I still fight you with my best, not bewildered by māyā. Real character continues full effort even in obvious defeat.
Reflection Questions
  • Can I give full effort knowing the result is fixed?
  • Where have I quit early when the dharma was to continue?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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