Text 20] The Transcendental Qualities of Vṛtrāsura
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instructions of Lord Viṣṇu. Although Indra had doubts because he could not understand that Lord Viṣṇu's order never fails, Vṛtrāsura understood Lord Viṣṇu's purpose. Vṛtrāsura was eager to be killed by the thunderbolt manufactured according to Lord Viṣṇu's instructions because he was sure that he would thus return home, back to Godhead. He was simply waiting for the opportunity of the thunderbolt's being released. In effect, therefore, Vṛtrāsura told Indra, "If you want to kill me, since I am your enemy, take this opportunity. Kill me. You will gain victory, and I shall go back to Godhead. Your deed will be equally beneficial for both of us. Do it immediately."
TEXT 20
नन्वेष वज्रस्तव शक्र तेजसा हरेर्दधीचेस्तपसा च तेजितः । तेनैव शत्रुं जहि विष्णुयन्त्रितो यतो हरिर्विजयः श्रीर्गुणास्ततः ॥२०॥
nanv eṣa vajras tava śakra tejasā harer dadhices tapasā ca tejitaḥ tenaiva śatrum jahi viṣṇu-yantrito yato harir vijayaḥ śrīr guṇās tataḥ
nanu—certainly; eṣaḥ—this; vajraḥ—thunderbolt; tava—of yours; śakra—O Indra; tejasā—by the prowess; hareḥ—of Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dadhiceḥ—of Dadhici; tapasā—by the austerities; ca—as well as; tejitaḥ—empowered; tena—with that; eva—certainly; śatrum—your enemy; jahi—kill; viṣṇu-yantritaḥ—ordered by Lord Viṣṇu; yataḥ—wherever; hariḥ—Lord Viṣṇu; vijayaḥ—victory; śrīḥ—opulences; guṇāḥ—and other good qualities; tataḥ—there.
TRANSLATION
O Indra, King of heaven, the thunderbolt you carry to kill me has been empowered by the prowess of Lord Viṣṇu and the strength of Dadhici's austerities. Since you have come here to kill