Shloka 16
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
वैरोचनो बलि: सङ्ख्ये सोऽसुराणां चमूपति: । यानं वैहायसं नाम कामगं मयनिर्मितम् ॥ १६ ॥ सर्वसाङ्ग्रामिकोपेतं सर्वाश्चर्यमयं प्रभो । अप्रतर्क्यमनिर्देश्यं दृश्यमानमदर्शनम् ॥ १७ ॥ आस्थितस्तद् विमानाग्र्यं सर्वानीकाधिपैर्वृत: । बालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यै रेजे चन्द्र इवोदये ॥ १८ ॥
vairocano baliḥ saṅkhye so ’surāṇāṁ camū-patiḥ yānaṁ vaihāyasaṁ nāma kāma-gaṁ maya-nirmitam
In that battle, Mahārāja Bali, son of Virocana and renowned commander of the asuras, mounted a wondrous aircraft named Vaihāyasa, fashioned by the dānava Maya and moving at will. O King, it was equipped for every kind of warfare, filled with marvels, beyond conjecture and beyond description—now seen, now unseen. Seated in that foremost craft beneath a splendid umbrella and fanned by the finest cāmaras, surrounded by his captains, Bali shone like the moon rising at dusk, illumining all directions.
FAQs
This verse notes that Bali, as commander of the asuras, possessed an extraordinary aerial craft (Vaihāyasa) made by Maya, showing his formidable material strength and resources.
Maya is the famed architect associated with the demons; here he is credited with building Bali’s desire-moving aerial vehicle, highlighting advanced asuric craftsmanship.
Even astonishing technology and power (like a wish-moving aircraft) remain material advantages; the Bhagavatam later emphasizes that true victory and protection ultimately rest with the Supreme Lord’s will.