Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

उष्ट्रै: केचिदिभै: केचिदपरे युयुधु: खरै: । केचिद्गौरमुखैरृक्षैर्द्वीपिभिर्हरिभिर्भटा: ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

uṣṭraiḥ kecid ibhaiḥ kecid apare yuyudhuḥ kharaiḥ kecid gaura-mukhair ṛkṣair dvīpibhir haribhir bhaṭāḥ

Translation

Certains soldats combattirent sur des chameaux, d’autres sur des éléphants, d’autres sur des ânes. Les uns montaient des singes au visage clair, d’autres des tigres et d’autres des lions; ainsi tous s’engagèrent dans la bataille.

Synonyms

• उष्ट्रैः: with camels
• उष्ट्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• केचित्: some (warriors)
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; अनिर्दिष्ट-समूहवाचक (some)

• इभैः: with elephants
• इभैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपरे: others
• अपरे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘others’

• युयुधुः: fought
• युयुधुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• खरैः: with donkeys
• खरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गौरमुखैः: with white-faced (beasts)
• गौरमुखैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौर + मुख (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘गौरं मुखं येषाम्/गौरमुखाः’

• ऋक्षैः: with bears
• ऋक्षैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• द्वीपिभिः: with tigers
• द्वीपिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वीपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• हरिभिः: with lions/monkeys (haris)
• हरिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भटाः: soldiers
• भटाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe about the Deva-Asura battle in Canto 8 Chapter 10?

This verse depicts the variety of mounts and animal forces used by the combatants—camels, elephants, donkeys, and even bears, tigers, and monkeys—showing the vast and dramatic scale of the conflict.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing animals like bears, tigers, and monkeys in this battle?

He is narrating the battlefield scene in vivid detail to convey the extraordinary, cosmic nature of the Deva-Asura war that unfolds after the events surrounding the churning of the ocean.

What is a practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

Even when events appear chaotic and overwhelming, the Bhagavatam’s broader narrative teaches that dharma is ultimately upheld under the Supreme Lord’s direction—encouraging steadiness and faith amid conflict.