Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 23
Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City
Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition
तां देवधानीं स वरूथिनीपति- र्बहि: समन्ताद् रुरुधे पृतन्यया । आचार्यदत्तं जलजं महास्वनं दध्मौ प्रयुञ्जन्भयमिन्द्रयोषिताम् ॥ २३ ॥
tāṁ deva-dhānīṁ sa varūthinī-patir bahiḥ samantād rurudhe pṛtanyayā ācārya-dattaṁ jalajaṁ mahā-svanaṁ dadhmau prayuñjan bhayam indra-yoṣitām
অগণিত সৈন্যৰ অধিপতি বলি মহাৰাজে ইন্দ্ৰৰ এই দেবধানীক বাহিৰৰ পৰা সকলো দিশে নিজৰ সেনাৰে ঘেৰাও কৰি আক্ৰমণ কৰিলে। আচার্য শুক্ৰাচাৰ্যে দিয়া মহাধ্বনি শঙ্খ তেওঁ ফুঁকলত, ইন্দ্ৰ-ৰক্ষিত নাৰীৰ মনত ভয় জাগিল।
FAQs
This verse describes the asura commander besieging the demigods’ city and using a powerful conch to spread terror—showing how the devas sometimes face overwhelming adversity due to shifting karmic and cosmic circumstances.
The conch-shell, received through the ācārya’s favor, symbolizes sanctioned military strength and morale; its thunderous blast was used as psychological warfare to intimidate Indra’s household and the heavenly residents.
It highlights how fear can be amplified through intimidation and noise; a devotee learns to stay steady in dharma and take shelter of the Lord rather than becoming shaken by external threats.