Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
अवाप्य वृत्रारिपुरं सुरारी रुरोघ दैत्यैर्मृगराजगाढैः । सुरश्च युद्धाय पुरात्तथैव विनिर्ययुर्वज्रकरादयश्च ॥ १२ ॥
avāpya vṛtrāripuraṃ surārī rurogha daityairmṛgarājagāḍhaiḥ | suraśca yuddhāya purāttathaiva viniryayurvajrakarādayaśca || 12 ||
Having reached the city of Vṛtrāri (Indra), the enemy of the gods blocked it with fierce Daityas, dense as lions. Then the gods too came out from the city for battle—led by Indra, bearer of the vajra, and the others.
Suta (narrator)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It portrays the recurring Purāṇic theme of adharma laying siege to divine order, and the devas (with Indra) actively rising to defend ṛta/dharma—symbolizing the inner struggle where noble qualities must confront disruptive forces.
Though the verse is martial in tone, it supports Bhakti indirectly: devotees are reminded that divine order is protected when one stands with dharma; in the Narada Purana’s broader frame, such protection is ultimately grounded in devotion to the Supreme (often Vishnu) beyond merely worldly power.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; it functions primarily as Itihāsa-Purāṇa narrative supporting dharma instruction rather than technical ritual or linguistic doctrine.