Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

तत: शूलं तत: प्रासं ततस्तोमरमृष्टय: । यद् यच्छस्त्रं समादद्यात्सर्वं तदच्छिनद् विभु: ॥ ४४ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ śūlaṁ tataḥ prāsaṁ tatas tomaram ṛṣṭayaḥ yad yac chastraṁ samādadyāt sarvaṁ tad acchinad vibhuḥ

Translation

Thereafter, one by one, Bali Mahārāja used a lance, prāsa, tomara, ṛṣṭis and other weapons, but whatever weapons he took up, Indra immediately cut them to pieces.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then/from there
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)

• śūlam: a spear/pike
• śūlam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then/from there
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)

• prāsam: a javelin
• prāsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tataḥ: then/from there
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)

• tomaram: a lance/club-like weapon
• tomaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tomara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ṛṣṭayaḥ: spears/lances
• ṛṣṭayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yat: whatever (that which)
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• yat: whatever
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śastram: weapon
• śastram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• samādadyāt: might take up/should seize
• samādadyāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā-√dā (धा/दा धातु)
• Form: Verb (तिङन्त), Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• sarvam: all
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adjective (विशेषण), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• acchinat: cut off/shattered
• acchinat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√chid (छिद् धातु)
• Form: Verb (तिङन्त), Aorist/लुङ्, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• vibhuḥ: the mighty one (Lord)
• vibhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Vibhu (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord's power in battle?

This verse shows that the vibhu— the all-powerful Lord—effortlessly neutralizes every weapon hurled at Him, demonstrating His supreme mastery and invincibility.

Why are so many weapons mentioned in this Bhagavatam verse?

The repeated listing emphasizes the intensity of the assault and highlights that no material force—no matter how varied—can overcome the Supreme Lord.

Practical application: what does 'the Lord cuts down every weapon' mean for modern life?

For a devotee, it teaches trust: when one takes shelter of Bhagavān, obstacles and threats lose their power, and one can remain steady in dharma despite pressure.