Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 16

Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations

Devanagari script

इन्द्रायानम्य सदसि श‍ृण्वतां त्रिदिवौकसाम् । ऊचुर्नारायणबलं शक्रस्तत्रास विस्मित: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

indrāyānamya sadasi śṛṇvatāṁ tri-divaukasām ūcur nārāyaṇa-balaṁ śakras tatrāsa vismitaḥ

Translation

The servants of the demigods reached the assembly of Indra, and thus, while all the residents of the three heavens listened, they explained to Indra the supreme power of Nārāyaṇa. When Indra heard of Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and became aware of his offense, he was both frightened and astonished.

Synonyms

• इन्द्राय: to Indra
• इन्द्राय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative), एकवचन

• आनम्य: having bowed
• आनम्य: Kriya (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-नम् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having bowed)

• सदसि: in the assembly
• सदसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• शृण्वताम्: of the listeners
• शृण्वताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘of those listening’

• त्रिदिवौकसाम्: of the heavenly dwellers (gods)
• त्रिदिवौकसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि-दिव-ओकस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (त्रिदिवे ओकः येषाम् = dwellers of heaven)

• ऊचुः: said
• ऊचुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• नारायणबलम्: the power of Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणबलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण-बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नारायणस्य बलम्)

• शक्रः: Śakra (Indra)
• शक्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देश-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• आस: sat / remained
• आस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विस्मितः: astonished
• विस्मितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-स्मि (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Nārāyaṇa
• Śakra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the supremacy of Narayana over Indra?

This verse states that in the heavenly assembly the sages proclaimed the incomparable power of Nārāyaṇa, and even Indra (Śakra) was left astonished—showing that the demigods stand subordinate to the Supreme Lord.

Why was Indra astonished in the assembly in Canto 11 Chapter 4?

Because the sages openly described the overwhelming strength and supremacy of Nārāyaṇa before the devas, and Indra realized the Lord’s power exceeds all celestial authority.

How can a devotee apply the teaching of Narayana bala in modern life?

By placing ultimate faith in the Supreme Lord rather than in status, power, or external support—cultivating humility and steady bhakti even when surrounded by worldly “heavenly” distractions.