Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.11.28
स तेनैवाष्टधारेण शिरसी बलपाकयो: ।
ज्ञातीनां पश्यतां राजञ्जहार जनयन्भयम् ॥ २८ ॥
sa tenaivāṣṭa-dhāreṇa
[sa tenaivaashta-dhaarena]
śirasī bala-pākayoḥ
[shirasee bala-paakayoh]
jñātīnāṁ paśyatāṁ rājaṣ
[jnaateenaam pashyataam raajash]
jahāra janayan bhayam
[jahaara janayan bhayam]
Word-for-word
saḥ
—
he (Indra)
tena
—
by that
eva
—
indeed
aṣṭa-dhāreṇa
—
by the thunderbolt
śirasī
—
the two heads
bala-pākayoḥ
—
of the two demons known as Bala and Pāka
jñātīnām paśyatām
—
while their relatives and soldiers were watching
rājan
—
O King
jahāra
—
(Indra) cut off
janayan
—
creating
bhayam
—
fear (among them).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sa tenaivāṣṭa-dhāreṇa
saḥ
he (Indra)
tena
by that
eva
indeed
aṣṭa-dhāreṇa
by the thunderbolt
śirasī bala-pākayoḥ
śirasī
the two heads
bala-pākayoḥ
of the two demons known as Bala and Pāka
jñātīnāṁ paśyatāṁ rājaṣ
jñātīnām paśyatām
while their relatives and soldiers were watching
rājan
O King
jahāra janayan bhayam
jahāra
(Indra) cut off
janayan
creating
bhayam
fear (among them).
O King Parīkṣit, King Indra used his thunderbolt to cut off the heads of both Bala and Pāka in the presence of all their relatives and followers. In this way he created a very fearful atmosphere on the battlefield.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! Indra, using his thunderbolt, cut off the heads of Bala and Pāka while their relatives watched and created fear.
Personal Guidance
Indra cut off Bala's and Pāka's heads in front of their relatives, creating a fearful atmosphere. Public, decisive consequences shape future behavior. Mercy is not the only dharmic response; appropriate severity also has its place.
Reflection Questions
- Where am I avoiding decisive action because it would create a 'fearful atmosphere'?
- What current chaos persists because no one has been willing to be Indra?
My note
Source: vedabase.io