Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
प्राहरत् कुलिशं तस्मा अमोघं परमर्दन: । सयानो न्यपतद् भूमौ छिन्नपक्ष इवाचल: ॥ १२ ॥
prāharat kuliśaṁ tasmā amoghaṁ para-mardanaḥ sayāno nyapatad bhūmau chinna-pakṣa ivācalaḥ
When Indra, the defeater of enemies, released his infallible thunderbolt scepter at Bali Mahārāja with a desire to kill him, Bali Mahārāja indeed fell to the ground with his airplane, like a mountain with its wings cut off.
In many descriptions in Vedic literature it is found that mountains also fly in the sky with wings. When such mountains are dead, they fall to the ground, where they stay as very large dead bodies.
FAQs
This verse describes Indra (Paramardana) striking an opponent with an “amogha” (infallible) vajra, emphasizing the irresistible potency of a divinely empowered weapon in the Deva–Asura battle.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the events of the Devas and Asuras fighting in Canto 8, Chapter 11.
It highlights how even great power can be brought down instantly when higher divine order prevails—encouraging humility and reliance on dharma and devotion rather than pride in strength.