Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 11
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
गृध्रै: कङ्कैर्बकैरन्ये श्येनभासैस्तिमिङ्गिलै: । शरभैर्महिषै: खड्गैर्गोवृषैर्गवयारुणै: ॥ १० ॥ शिवाभिराखुभि: केचित् कृकलासै: शशैर्नरै: । बस्तैरेके कृष्णसारैर्हंसैरन्ये च सूकरै: ॥ ११ ॥ अन्ये जलस्थलखगै: सत्त्वैर्विकृतविग्रहै: । सेनयोरुभयो राजन्विविशुस्तेऽग्रतोऽग्रत: ॥ १२ ॥
gṛdhraiḥ kaṅkair bakair anye śyena-bhāsais timiṅgilaiḥ śarabhair mahiṣaiḥ khaḍgair go-vṛṣair gavayāruṇaiḥ
O King, some soldiers fought on the backs of vultures, eagles, ducks, hawks and bhāsa birds. Some fought on the backs of timiṅgilas, which can devour huge whales, some on the backs of śarabhas, and some on buffalo, rhinoceroses, cows, bulls, jungle cows and aruṇas. Others fought on the backs of jackals, rats, lizards, rabbits, human beings, goats, black deer, swans and boars. In this way, mounted on animals of the water, land and sky, including animals with deformed bodies, both armies faced each other and went forward.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes combatants entering the fight by assuming powerful animal and monster forms, emphasizing the supernatural intensity of the Deva–Asura war.
Śukadeva narrates the events directly to Parīkṣit to keep the listener oriented within the unfolding Devasura-yuddha and to highlight the immediacy of the scene.
It reminds a seeker that outer appearances can shift dramatically in conflict; steadiness in dharma and devotion is more reliable than being overwhelmed by frightening displays.