Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 56
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
दृष्ट्वा मृधे गरुडवाहमिभारिवाह आविध्य शूलमहिनोदथ कालनेमि: । तल्लीलया गरुडमूर्ध्नि पतद् गृहीत्वा तेनाहनन्नृप सवाहमरिं त्र्यधीश: ॥ ५६ ॥
dṛṣṭvā mṛdhe garuḍa-vāham ibhāri-vāha āvidhya śūlam ahinod atha kālanemiḥ tal līlayā garuḍa-mūrdhni patad gṛhītvā tenāhanan nṛpa savāham ariṁ tryadhīśaḥ
Oh rey, cuando el demonio Kālanemi, montado en un león, vio en la batalla al Señor, amo de los tres mundos, llevado por Garuḍa, de inmediato hizo girar su tridente y lo arrojó hacia la cabeza de Garuḍa. Pero Śrī Hari lo atrapó como si fuera un juego y, con esa misma arma, dio muerte al enemigo Kālanemi junto con su montura, el león.
In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says:
FAQs
This verse shows Viṣṇu’s effortless protection—He catches a deadly trident aimed at Garuḍa and immediately neutralizes the threat, demonstrating His supreme guardianship.
In the demigod–demon war narrative, Kālanemi confronts Viṣṇu as an enemy of the devas; his trident attack is part of the asuras’ attempt to overpower the divine side.
The takeaway is trust: when one takes shelter of the Lord, protection comes in unexpected ways—encouraging steadiness, prayer, and dharmic action even amid conflict.