Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 15
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
चित्रध्वजपटै राजन्नातपत्रै: सितामलै: । महाधनैर्वज्रदण्डैर्व्यजनैर्बार्हचामरै: ॥ १३ ॥ वातोद्धूतोत्तरोष्णीषैरर्चिर्भिर्वर्मभूषणै: । स्फुरद्भिर्विशदै: शस्त्रै: सुतरां सूर्यरश्मिभि: ॥ १४ ॥ देवदानववीराणां ध्वजिन्यौ पाण्डुनन्दन । रेजतुर्वीरमालाभिर्यादसामिव सागरौ ॥ १५ ॥
citra-dhvaja-paṭai rājann ātapatraiḥ sitāmalaiḥ mahā-dhanair vajra-daṇḍair vyajanair bārha-cāmaraiḥ
Ô roi, ô descendant de Pāṇḍu : les deux rangs des héros devas et dānavas étaient ornés d’étendards multicolores et d’ombrelles blanches ; leurs vêtements et turbans flottaient au vent, et sous le soleil brillaient armures, parures et armes nettes et tranchantes. Ainsi, les deux armées semblaient deux mers ceintes de guirlandes de créatures aquatiques.
FAQs
This verse describes the battlefield pageantry—banners, white parasols, standards, fans, and cāmara whisks—showing the royal, opulent display surrounding the Devasura war.
Śukadeva is narrating the Devasura battle in vivid detail, helping Parīkṣit visualize the scene and understand how even grand material opulence accompanies conflict in the world.
External grandeur can be impressive, but it is temporary; cultivate inner devotion and character rather than being overly captivated by display and status.