Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 37
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
गजास्तुरङ्गा: सरथा: पदातय: सारोहवाहा विविधा विखण्डिता: । निकृत्तबाहूरुशिरोधराङ्घ्रय- श्छिन्नध्वजेष्वासतनुत्रभूषणा: ॥ ३७ ॥
gajās turaṅgāḥ sarathāḥ padātayaḥ sāroha-vāhā vividhā vikhaṇḍitāḥ nikṛtta-bāhūru-śirodharāṅghrayaś chinna-dhvajeṣvāsa-tanutra-bhūṣaṇāḥ
Les éléphants, les chevaux, les chars, les conducteurs de chars, les soldats d'infanterie et divers types de montures, ainsi que leurs cavaliers, furent taillés en pièces. Les bras, les cuisses, les cous et les jambes des soldats furent tranchés, et leurs drapeaux, arcs, armures et ornements furent déchirés.
FAQs
It vividly portrays the battlefield in the Deva–Asura war—elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers broken apart, with severed limbs and shattered flags, weapons, armor, and ornaments strewn across the ground.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the account of the demigods and demons fighting after the churning of the ocean.
Material power and victory in conflict are fragile and quickly reduced to ruin; the verse urges sobriety—seeking lasting shelter in dharma and devotion rather than pride in strength, possessions, or dominance.