Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
गजाश्च यस्यायुतकोटिलक्षास्तावन्त एवाश्वरथा मुनींद्र । गजेगजे पंचशती पदातेः किं वर्ण्यते तस्य चमूर्वरिष्टा ॥ ९ ॥
gajāśca yasyāyutakoṭilakṣāstāvanta evāśvarathā munīṃdra | gajegaje paṃcaśatī padāteḥ kiṃ varṇyate tasya camūrvariṣṭā || 9 ||
O Herr unter den Weisen, er besitzt Elefanten in Zehntausenden, in Krores und Lakhs, und ebenso viele von Pferden gezogene Streitwagen. Zu jedem Elefanten gehören fünfhundert Fußsoldaten. Wie ließe sich die Vorzüglichkeit eines so unvergleichlichen Heeres überhaupt schildern?
Narada (addressing a munīndra within the dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
The verse uses deliberate numerical grandeur to highlight the magnitude of worldly power; in Purāṇic storytelling this often functions as a contrast—reminding the listener that even the greatest material strength is ultimately limited compared to dharma and the divine order.
Bhakti is not taught directly here; instead, the verse indirectly sets up a common Purāṇic theme: external might (armies, wealth, rank) is describable only with hyperbole, while true refuge and lasting victory are attained through dharma and devotion to the Supreme (often articulated elsewhere in Narada’s teachings).
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; the main takeaway is literary—Purāṇic prashasti-style enumeration (saṅkhyā/gaṇanā) used to convey scale in narrative description.