Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 46

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

Devanagari script

येऽवशिष्टा रणे तस्मिन् नारदानुमतेन ते । बलिं विपन्नमादाय अस्तं गिरिमुपागमन् ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

ye ’vaśiṣṭā raṇe tasmin nāradānumatena te baliṁ vipannam ādāya astaṁ girim upāgaman

Translation

Suivant l’ordre de Nārada Muni, les démons restés sur le champ de bataille emmenèrent Bali Mahārāja, alors en fâcheuse posture, vers la colline nommée Astagiri.

Synonyms

• ye: those who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural; relative pronoun

• avaśiṣṭāḥ: remaining
• avaśiṣṭāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ava-√śiṣ (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine, Nominative, Plural; agrees with ye

• raṇe: in the battle
• raṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular

• tasmin: in that
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular; demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally

• nārada-anumatena: with Nārada’s permission
• nārada-anumatena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārada (प्रातिपदिक) + anumata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular; tatpuruṣa 'with Nārada’s consent/approval'

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural; demonstrative pronoun

• balim: Bali
• balim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• vipannam: fallen/defeated
• vipannam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√pad (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine, Accusative, Singular; agrees with balim

• ādāya: having taken
• ādāya: Hetu/Anukrama (हेतु/पूर्वकर्म)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā-√dā (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), indeclinable; prior action

• astam: to the west (sunset)
• astam: Gati/Karma (गति/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; used as direction 'west/sunset'

• girim: mountain
• girim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: giri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• upāgaman: they approached/went
• upāgaman: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्/Aorist), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Bali Mahārāja

FAQs

Why did the demons take Bali Mahārāja away after the battle in Srimad Bhagavatam?

Because Bali had been defeated, the surviving demons, following Nārada’s counsel, withdrew with him to Mount Astagiri for safety and regrouping.

What role does Nārada Muni play in Canto 8 Chapter 11 of the Bhagavatam?

In this verse, Nārada is shown as a guiding authority whose advice the remaining asuras accept, indicating his influence even amid conflict.

Practical application: what does this shloka teach about seeking guidance in crisis?

It highlights that in defeat or danger, taking wise counsel and making a strategic retreat can preserve strength for future right action.