Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गानां भेरीडमरिणां महान् । हस्त्यश्वरथपत्तीनां नदतां निस्वनोऽभवत् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānāṁ bherī-ḍamariṇāṁ mahān hasty-aśva-ratha-pattīnāṁ nadatāṁ nisvano ’bhavat

Translation

Ein gewaltiges, tumultartiges Dröhnen erhob sich: Muschelhörner, Fanfaren, mṛdaṅga-Trommeln, bherīs und ḍamarīs, dazu das Brüllen der Elefanten, Wiehern der Pferde und das Rufen der Krieger auf Wagen und zu Fuß.

Synonyms

• śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānām: of conches, trumpets, and drums
• śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + tūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + mṛdaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी) plural; dvandva list of instruments; ‘of conches, trumpets, and drums’

• bherī-ḍamariṇām: of kettle-drums and ḍamarīs
• bherī-ḍamariṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bherī (प्रातिपदिक) + ḍamarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Genitive plural; dvandva: ‘of kettle-drums and ḍamarīs’

• mahān: great
• mahān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative singular; adjective of nisvanaḥ

• hasti-aśva-ratha-pattīnām: of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry
• hasti-aśva-ratha-pattīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hasti (प्रातिपदिक) + aśva (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + patti (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive plural; dvandva of army divisions: elephants, horses, chariots, foot-soldiers

• nadatām: of the roaring (ones)
• nadatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nad (धातु) → nadat (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), genitive plural (षष्ठी बहुवचन); ‘of those roaring/sounding’ qualifying the above instruments/forces

• nisvanaḥ: sound/clamor
• nisvanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nisvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative singular; subject

• abhavat: arose/was
• abhavat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person singular (प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन), parasmaipada; ‘was/occurred’

FAQs

What is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.10.7?

It describes the thunderous battlefield uproar—conchs, trumpets, drums, and the cries of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry—as the armies advance.

Who is speaking this verse in the Bhagavata Purana?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to King Parīkṣit.

What is a practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

Even amid intense noise and conflict, one can remember that life’s struggles are best faced with steadiness and alignment with dharma rather than fear or confusion.