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Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18

Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention

वैरोचनो बलि: सङ्ख्ये सोऽसुराणां चमूपति: । यानं वैहायसं नाम कामगं मयनिर्मितम् ॥ १६ ॥ सर्वसाङ्ग्रामिकोपेतं सर्वाश्चर्यमयं प्रभो । अप्रतर्क्यमनिर्देश्यं द‍ृश्यमानमदर्शनम् ॥ १७ ॥ आस्थितस्तद् विमानाग्र्यं सर्वानीकाधिपैर्वृत: । बालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यै रेजे चन्द्र इवोदये ॥ १८ ॥

vairocano baliḥ saṅkhye so ’surāṇāṁ camū-patiḥ yānaṁ vaihāyasaṁ nāma kāma-gaṁ maya-nirmitam

For that battle the most celebrated commander in chief, Mahārāja Bali, son of Virocana, was seated on a wonderful airplane named Vaihāyasa. O King, this beautifully decorated airplane had been manufactured by the demon Maya and was equipped with weapons for all types of combat. It was inconceivable and indescribable. Indeed, it was sometimes visible and sometimes not. Seated in this airplane under a beautiful protective umbrella and being fanned by the best of cāmaras, Mahārāja Bali, surrounded by his captains and commanders, appeared just like the moon rising in the evening, illuminating all directions.

आस्थितःhaving mounted/occupied
आस्थितः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootआ-√स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
Formक्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having mounted/occupied’ (active sense); agrees with subject (बलिः)
तत्that
तत्:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; demonstrative; qualifies विमानाग्र्यम्
विमानाग्र्यम्the foremost aerial car
विमानाग्र्यम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootविमान-अग्र्य (प्रातिपदिक; विमान + अग्र्य)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; Accusative singular
सर्वानीकाधिपैःby all the commanders of the divisions
सर्वानीकाधिपैः:
Sahakari/Parivara (सहकारी/परिवार)
TypeNoun
Rootसर्व-अनीक-अधिप (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + अनीक + अधिप)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural
वृतःsurrounded
वृतः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Root√वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
Formक्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘surrounded’; agrees with subject (बलिः)
बालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यैःwith excellent young attendants’ fans and parasols
बालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यैः:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootबाल-व्यजन-छत्र-अग्र्य (प्रातिपदिक; बाल + व्यजन + छत्र + अग्र्य)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural
रेजेshone
रेजे:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√राज् (धातु)
Formलिट् (परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Perfect, 3rd person singular; ‘shone’
चन्द्रःthe moon
चन्द्रः:
Upamana (उपमान)
TypeNoun
Rootचन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (upamāna)
इवlike
इव:
Upamana-marker (उपमा-सूचक)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव (अव्यय)
Formउपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)
उदयेat rising
उदये:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootउदय (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular
B
Bali
V
Virocana
M
Maya (Mayasura)

FAQs

Bali is Virocana’s son and the commander of the demon armies, described here as entering battle with a powerful aerial vehicle.

Vaihāyasa is an aerial conveyance made by Maya that can travel according to the rider’s desire (kāma-ga).

Material power and extraordinary technology can support ambition in battle, but they do not guarantee righteousness or divine favor—Bhagavata repeatedly contrasts power with dharma and devotion.