Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

शिरोभिरुद्धूतकिरीटकुण्डलै: संरम्भद‍ृग्भि: परिदष्टदच्छदै: । महाभुजै: साभरणै: सहायुधै: सा प्रास्तृता भू: करभोरुभिर्बभौ ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

śirobhir uddhūta-kirīṭa-kuṇḍalaiḥ saṁrambha-dṛgbhiḥ paridaṣṭa-dacchadaiḥ mahā-bhujaiḥ sābharaṇaiḥ sahāyudhaiḥ sā prāstṛtā bhūḥ karabhorubhir babhau

Translation

في خضم المعركة، امتلأ ميدان القتال برؤوس الأبطال المقطوعة، وعيونهم لا تزال شاخصة وأسنانهم تضغط على شفاههم من الغضب. وتناثرت الخوذات والأقراط من هذه الرؤوس المقطوعة. وبالمثل، تناثرت هنا وهناك العديد من الأذرع المزينة بالحلي والتي تقبض على أسلحة مختلفة، وكذلك الأفخاذ التي تشبه خراطيم الفيلة.

Synonyms

• शिरोभिः: with heads
• शिरोभिः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन — Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• उद्धूत-किरीट-कुण्डलैः: with (their) crowns and earrings shaken off
• उद्धूत-किरीट-कुण्डलैः: विशेषण (Adjectival to शिरोभिः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्धूत (कृदन्त, √धू धातु) + किरीट (प्रातिपदिक) + कुण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (उद्धूतानि किरीट-कुण्डलानि येषां तैः) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; tatpuruṣa compound

• संरम्भ-दृग्भिः: with eyes full of rage
• संरम्भ-दृग्भिः: विशेषण (Adjectival to शिरोभिः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + दृश्/दृक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (संरम्भयुक्ताः दृगः येषां तैः) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• परिदष्ट-दच्छदैः: with garments bitten/torn (in fury)
• परिदष्ट-दच्छदैः: विशेषण (Adjectival to शिरोभिः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिदष्ट (कृदन्त, √दंश् धातु) + दच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (परिदष्टाः दच्छदाः येषां तैः) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• महाभुजैः: with mighty arms
• महाभुजैः: विशेषण (Adjectival to implied warriors)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (महान्तः भुजाः) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• स-आभरणैः: with ornaments
• स-आभरणैः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्ग/सह) + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आभरणैः सह) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• स-आयुधैः: with weapons
• स-आयुधैः: विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्ग/सह) + आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आयुधैः सह) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सा: she (the earth)
• सा: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रास्तृता: spread out, strewn
• प्रास्तृता: विशेषण (to भूः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-स्तृ (धातु √स्तृ) → प्रास्तृता (कृदन्त, भूतकर्मणि/क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि — Feminine, Nominative, Singular; past passive participle

• भूः: the earth/ground
• भूः: कर्ता (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• करभ-ऊरुभिः: with thighs like an elephant’s trunk
• करभ-ऊरुभिः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: करभ (प्रातिपदिक) + ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (करभसदृशाः ऊरवः) — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• बभौ: shone/appeared
• बभौ: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परिपूर्णभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद — Perfect, 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the devas and asuras battle in Canto 8 Chapter 10?

This verse depicts the battlefield aftermath—warriors strewn across the earth with dislodged ornaments and weapons—showing the ferocity of the devasura-yuddha described by Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the fallen warriors with such vivid detail?

To convey the intensity of the conflict and to underline the Bhagavatam’s recurring theme: bodily power, pride, and material splendor are fragile and can be shattered in a moment.

What is a practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It encourages humility and detachment—status, ornaments, and strength can vanish quickly—so one should prioritize dharma and devotion over temporary display.