Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

तस्यासन्सर्वतो देवा नानावाहध्वजायुधा: । लोकपाला: सहगणैर्वाय्वग्निवरुणादय: ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

tasyāsan sarvato devā nānā-vāha-dhvajāyudhāḥ lokapālāḥ saha-gaṇair vāyv-agni-varuṇādayaḥ

Translation

Surrounding Lord Indra, King of heaven, were the demigods, seated on various types of vehicles and decorated with flags and weapons. Present among them were Vāyu, Agni, Varuṇa and other rulers of various planets, along with their associates.

Synonyms

• tasya: of him/thereof
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘of him/that’

• āsan: were
• āsan: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• sarvataḥ: on all sides
• sarvataḥ: Desha-adhikarana (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देश/दिशा-वाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

• devāḥ: the gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• nānā-vāha-dhvaja-āyudhāḥ: with various mounts, banners, and weapons
• nānā-vāha-dhvaja-āyudhāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā-vāha-dhvaja-āyudha (प्रातिपदिक; nānā + vāha + dhvaja + āyudha)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (vāha-dhvaja-āyudha as a set) with nānā as qualifier; अर्थ: ‘having various mounts, banners, and weapons’

• lokapālāḥ: world-guardians
• lokapālāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka-pāla (प्रातिपदिक; loka + pāla)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (‘लोकस्य पालाः’ = guardians of the worlds)

• saha-gaṇaiḥ: with (their) groups
• saha-gaṇaiḥ: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saha-gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक; saha + gaṇa)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (‘सह गणैः’ = together with their troops)

• vāyu-agni-varuṇa-ādayaḥ: Vāyu, Agni, Varuṇa, and others
• vāyu-agni-varuṇa-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu-agni-varuṇa-ādi (प्रातिपदिक; vāyu + agni + varuṇa + ādi)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (vāyu, agni, varuṇa) + ādi (etc.)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Lokapālas
• Vāyu
• Agni
• Varuṇa

FAQs

Who are the Lokapālas mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.10?

Lokapālas are the guardians of the directions/worlds who uphold universal administration; this verse notes they assembled with their attendants—such as Vāyu, Agni, and Varuṇa—ready for battle.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the demigods’ banners, weapons, and vehicles here?

He is painting the battlefield scene of the Deva–Asura conflict, showing the organized, fully-equipped presence of the demigod forces gathered on all sides.

What is a practical lesson from this verse for modern life?

Dharma is protected through coordinated responsibility—each person using their distinct strengths in service of a higher order, rather than acting in isolation.