Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 47

Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention

Devanagari script

महोरगा: समुत्पेतुर्दन्दशूका: सवृश्चिका: । सिंहव्याघ्रवराहाश्च मर्दयन्तो महागजा: ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

mahoragāḥ samutpetur dandaśūkāḥ savṛścikāḥ siṁha-vyāghra-varāhāś ca mardayanto mahā-gajāḥ

Translation

Alors surgirent de grands serpents, des dandasūkas et des scorpions venimeux. Lions, tigres, sangliers et énormes éléphants tombèrent aussi sur l’armée des devas, écrasant tout sur leur passage.

Synonyms

• mahā-uragāḥ: great serpents
• mahā-uragāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + uraga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: mahāḥ uragāḥ = great serpents

• samutpetuḥ: sprang up/leapt forth
• samutpetuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ut-√pat (पत् धातु)
• Form: Verb (तिङन्त), Aorist/लुङ्, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• daṇḍaśūkāḥ: snakes (lit. staff-tongued)
• daṇḍaśūkāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daṇḍaśūka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sa-vṛścikāḥ: along with scorpions
• sa-vṛścikāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + vṛścika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); avyayībhāva: sa- = with, together with

• siṁha-vyāghra-varāhāḥ: lions, tigers, and boars
• siṁha-vyāghra-varāhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: siṁha (प्रातिपदिक) + vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक) + varāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); dvandva: lions, tigers, and boars

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• mardayantaḥ: crushing/trampling
• mardayantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √mṛd (मृद् धातु)
• Form: Kridanta (कृदन्त) present active participle (शतृ), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• mahā-gajāḥ: great elephants
• mahā-gajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + gaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); compound: great elephants

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about terrifying creatures appearing in battle?

In this verse (8.10.47), Śukadeva describes fierce beings—serpents, scorpions, lions, tigers, and boars—erupting into the conflict, intensifying the dread and violence of the devasura war.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe animals like serpents and lions in the devasura battle?

He is narrating to King Parīkṣit the overwhelming, chaotic nature of the battle—how even powerful elephants were being crushed—showing the scale of conflict that unfolded after the churning of the ocean.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It reminds a devotee that worldly struggles can become fierce and chaotic; steadiness in dharma and remembrance of the Lord’s shelter is essential when circumstances feel overpowering.