SB 8.10.43 — FolioCorpus

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.10.43

तस्य कर्मोत्तमं वीक्ष्य दुर्मर्ष: शक्तिमाददे । तां ज्वलन्तीं महोल्काभां हस्तस्थामच्छिनद्धरि: ॥ ४३ ॥

tasya karmottamaṁ vīkṣya

[tasya karmottamam veekshya]

durmarṣaḥ śaktim ādade

[durmarshah shaktim aadade]

tāṁ jvalantīṁ maholkābhāṁ

[taam jvalanteem maholkaabhaam]

hasta-sthām acchinad dhariḥ

[hasta-sthaam achchinad dharih]

Word-for-word

tasya — of King Indra karma-uttamam — the very expert service in military art vīkṣya — after observing durmarṣaḥ — being in a very angry mood śaktim — the śakti weapon ādade — took up tām — that weapon jvalantīm — blazing fire mahā-ulkā-ābhām — appearing like a great firebrand hasta-sthām — while still in the hand of Bali acchinat — cut to pieces hariḥ — Indra.

Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)

tasya karmottamaṁ vīkṣya

tasya

of King Indra

karma-uttamam

the very expert service in military art

vīkṣya

after observing

durmarṣaḥ śaktim ādade

durmarṣaḥ

being in a very angry mood

śaktim

the śakti weapon

ādade

took up

tāṁ jvalantīṁ maholkābhāṁ

tām

that weapon

jvalantīm

blazing fire

mahā-ulkā-ābhām

appearing like a great firebrand

hasta-sthām

while still in the hand of Bali

hasta-sthām acchinad dhariḥ

acchinat

cut to pieces

hariḥ

Indra.

When Bali Mahārāja saw the expert military activities of Indra, he could not restrain his anger. Thus he took up another weapon, known as śakti, which blazed like a great firebrand. But Indra cut that weapon to pieces while it was still in Bali’s hand.

Gauḍīya Ācāryas

Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya

Translation

When Bali Mahārāja saw the expert military activities of Indra, he could not tolerate the action. Thus he took up a pike blazing like a great firebrand. But Indra cut that weapon to pieces while it was still in Bali's hand. Bali could not tolerate (durmarṣaḥ).

Personal Guidance

Frustrated by Indra's skill, Bali raised the blazing śakti — but Indra cut it to pieces while still in his hand. The opponent's most threatening weapon never even leaves his grip. Mastery defeats not just the weapon, but the very intention to use it.

Reflection Questions

Where can I disarm a coming threat at its source rather than wait until it is hurled?
What is my 'blazing śakti' — the most threatening tool I rely on — and what if it were neutralized?

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io