Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
केचित्सताडयामासुर्नागैर्नागान्रथान्रथैः । अश्वैरश्वांश्च केचित्तु गदादण्डैरथार्द्दयन् ॥ २१ ॥
kecitsatāḍayāmāsurnāgairnāgānrathānrathaiḥ | aśvairaśvāṃśca kecittu gadādaṇḍairathārddayan || 21 ||
Some struck elephants with elephants, and chariots with chariots; some struck horses with horses, and others battered their foes with maces and clubs.
Suta (narrator)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It portrays the intensity of conflict in the worldly sphere (pravṛtti), implicitly contrasting external force with the Purana’s broader aim of turning the mind toward dharma and ultimately devotion and liberation.
This specific verse does not teach bhakti directly; it functions as narrative backdrop—showing the turbulence of worldly struggle that later teachings in the Narada Purana resolve through Vishnu-centered dharma and devotion.
No Vedanga topic is explicitly taught in this verse; it is a descriptive shloka focused on warfare imagery rather than śikṣā, vyākaraṇa, chandas, nirukta, jyotiṣa, or kalpa.