Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
वैरोचनो बलि: सङ्ख्ये सोऽसुराणां चमूपति: । यानं वैहायसं नाम कामगं मयनिर्मितम् ॥ १६ ॥ सर्वसाङ्ग्रामिकोपेतं सर्वाश्चर्यमयं प्रभो । अप्रतर्क्यमनिर्देश्यं दृश्यमानमदर्शनम् ॥ १७ ॥ आस्थितस्तद् विमानाग्र्यं सर्वानीकाधिपैर्वृत: । बालव्यजनछत्राग्र्यै रेजे चन्द्र इवोदये ॥ १८ ॥
vairocano baliḥ saṅkhye so ’surāṇāṁ camū-patiḥ yānaṁ vaihāyasaṁ nāma kāma-gaṁ maya-nirmitam
Bali, assis dans cet aéronef d’élite et entouré des chefs de toutes les divisions, était servi sous une ombrelle excellente, éventé par de doux éventails et les meilleurs cāmaras. Il resplendissait comme la lune qui se lève, illuminant toutes les directions.
Bali is Virocana’s son and the commander of the demon armies, described here as entering battle with a powerful aerial vehicle.
Vaihāyasa is an aerial conveyance made by Maya that can travel according to the rider’s desire (kāma-ga).
Material power and extraordinary technology can support ambition in battle, but they do not guarantee righteousness or divine favor—Bhagavata repeatedly contrasts power with dharma and devotion.