Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
रथिनो रथिभिस्तत्र पत्तिभि: सह पत्तय: । हया हयैरिभाश्चेभै: समसज्जन्त संयुगे ॥ ८ ॥
rathino rathibhis tatra pattibhiḥ saha pattayaḥ hayā hayair ibhāś cebhaiḥ samasajjanta saṁyuge
Sur ce champ de bataille, les combattants sur chars affrontèrent ceux sur chars, l’infanterie l’infanterie, les cavaliers les cavaliers, et les guerriers sur éléphants ceux sur éléphants; ainsi le combat se fit entre égaux.
FAQs
This verse describes the battle as direct, force-matched combat—chariots against chariots, infantry against infantry, horsemen against horsemen, and elephants against elephants—showing the intense, organized nature of the conflict.
He is painting a vivid battlefield scene for King Parīkṣit, emphasizing that the war escalated into structured, head-to-head engagements among equivalent military divisions.
It highlights discipline and preparedness—facing challenges with appropriate tools and training—while reminding devotees that worldly conflicts are part of material nature and should be understood through dharma and spiritual perspective.