Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

तत्र दैवासुरो नाम रण: परमदारुण: । रोधस्युदन्वतो राजंस्तुमुलो रोमहर्षण: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tatra daivāsuro nāma raṇaḥ parama-dāruṇaḥ rodhasy udanvato rājaṁs tumulo roma-harṣaṇaḥ

Translation

王よ、乳の海の岸辺で、神々とアスラの間にこの上なく凄惨な戦いが起こった。その激しさは、聞くだけで身の毛がよだつほどであった。

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb of place (देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण)

• daiva-āsuraḥ: between gods and demons
• daiva-āsuraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daiva (प्रातिपदिक) + āsura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन); dvandva: ‘divine and demoniac’ (pertaining to devas and asuras) qualifying raṇaḥ

• nāma: indeed/by name
• nāma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāma (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (निपात) used for naming/emphasis: ‘indeed/by name’

• raṇaḥ: battle
• raṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular (एकवचन); subject

• parama-dāruṇaḥ: most dreadful
• parama-dāruṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + dāruṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) singular; karmadhāraya: ‘supremely terrible’; predicate adjective of raṇaḥ

• rodhasi: on the shore
• rodhasi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rodhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी) singular (एकवचन); ‘on the bank/shore’

• udanvataḥ: of the ocean
• udanvataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udanvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी) singular (एकवचन); dependent on rodhasi: ‘of the ocean’

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/प्रथमा) singular; संबोधन to the king

• tumulaḥ: tumultuous
• tumulaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tumula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative singular; predicate adjective of raṇaḥ

• roma-harṣaṇaḥ: hair-raising
• roma-harṣaṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: roma (प्रातिपदिक) + harṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘(causing) hair-raising thrill’; predicate adjective of raṇaḥ

Characters & Entities

• King Parīkṣit
• Devas
• Asuras

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Deva-Asura war in Canto 8?

This verse describes the conflict as an intensely fierce, tumultuous battle between the devas and asuras, occurring on the shore of the ocean and evoking awe and fear (romaharṣaṇa).

Why is King Parikshit addressed as 'O King' (rājan) in this verse?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the Bhagavatam to King Parīkṣit; the address “rājan” marks the direct teacher-disciple dialogue and keeps the listener anchored in the unfolding history.

Practical application of the Bhagavatam’s battle imagery in modern life?

The verse reminds readers that inner and outer conflicts can become “tumultuous”; a devotee should remain steady, seek dharmic clarity, and take shelter of the Lord rather than being swept away by agitation.