SB 6.9.4 · Srimad-Bhagavatam

Devanagari

तद्देवहेलनं तस्य धर्मालीकं सुरेश्वर: । आलक्ष्य तरसा भीतस्तच्छीर्षाण्यच्छिनद् रुषा ॥ ४ ॥

Verse text

tad deva-helanaṁ tasya dharmālīkaṁ sureśvaraḥ ālakṣya tarasā bhītas tac-chīrṣāṇy acchinad ruṣā

Synonyms

tat — that ; deva — helanam — offense to the demigods ; tasya — of him (Viśvarūpa) ; dharma — alīkam — cheating in religious principles (pretending to be the priest of the demigods, but secretly acting as the priest of the demons also) ; sura — īśvaraḥ — the king of the demigods ; ālakṣya — observing ; tarasā — quickly ; bhītaḥ — being afraid (that the demons would gain strength by being blessed by Viśvarūpa) ; tat — his (Viśvarūpa’s) ; śīrṣāṇi — heads ; acchinat — cut off ; ruṣā — with great anger .

Translation

Once upon a time, however, the King of heaven, Indra, understood that Viśvarūpa was secretly cheating the demigods by offering oblations on behalf of the demons. He became extremely afraid of being defeated by the demons, and in great anger at Viśvarūpa he cut Viśvarūpa’s three heads from his shoulders.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Indra, understanding that Viśvarūpa was cheating the devatās by offering oblations to the demons, angrily cut off Viśvarūpa's three heads out of fear. Indra was afraid that the demons would gain power by the oblations.