Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 11
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
गृध्रै: कङ्कैर्बकैरन्ये श्येनभासैस्तिमिङ्गिलै: । शरभैर्महिषै: खड्गैर्गोवृषैर्गवयारुणै: ॥ १० ॥ शिवाभिराखुभि: केचित् कृकलासै: शशैर्नरै: । बस्तैरेके कृष्णसारैर्हंसैरन्ये च सूकरै: ॥ ११ ॥ अन्ये जलस्थलखगै: सत्त्वैर्विकृतविग्रहै: । सेनयोरुभयो राजन्विविशुस्तेऽग्रतोऽग्रत: ॥ १२ ॥
gṛdhraiḥ kaṅkair bakair anye śyena-bhāsais timiṅgilaiḥ śarabhair mahiṣaiḥ khaḍgair go-vṛṣair gavayāruṇaiḥ
D’autres soldats combattirent montés sur des chacals, des rats, des lézards, des lapins et même sur des êtres humains. Les uns chevauchaient des chèvres, d’autres des antilopes kṛṣṇasāra, d’autres des cygnes et d’autres des sangliers; ainsi ils se jetèrent dans la guerre.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva describes combatants entering the fight by assuming powerful animal and monster forms, emphasizing the supernatural intensity of the Deva–Asura war.
Śukadeva narrates the events directly to Parīkṣit to keep the listener oriented within the unfolding Devasura-yuddha and to highlight the immediacy of the scene.
It reminds a seeker that outer appearances can shift dramatically in conflict; steadiness in dharma and devotion is more reliable than being overwhelmed by frightening displays.