Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
रथिनो रथिभिस्तत्र पत्तिभि: सह पत्तय: । हया हयैरिभाश्चेभै: समसज्जन्त संयुगे ॥ ८ ॥
rathino rathibhis tatra pattibhiḥ saha pattayaḥ hayā hayair ibhāś cebhaiḥ samasajjanta saṁyuge
On that battlefield, the charioteers fought with the opposing charioteers, the infantry soldiers with the opposing infantry, the soldiers on horseback with the opposing soldiers on horseback, and the soldiers on the backs of elephants with the enemy soldiers on elephants. In this way, the fighting took place between equals.
FAQs
This verse describes the battle as direct, force-matched combat—chariots against chariots, infantry against infantry, horsemen against horsemen, and elephants against elephants—showing the intense, organized nature of the conflict.
He is painting a vivid battlefield scene for King Parīkṣit, emphasizing that the war escalated into structured, head-to-head engagements among equivalent military divisions.
It highlights discipline and preparedness—facing challenges with appropriate tools and training—while reminding devotees that worldly conflicts are part of material nature and should be understood through dharma and spiritual perspective.