Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

तत: सुरगणा: सर्वे सुधया पीतयैधिता: । प्रतिसंयुयुधु: शस्त्रैर्नारायणपदाश्रया: ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ sura-gaṇāḥ sarve sudhayā pītayaidhitāḥ pratisaṁyuyudhuḥ śastrair nārāyaṇa-padāśrayāḥ

Translation

അമൃതം പാനം ചെയ്ത് ഉത്സാഹിതരായ സർവ്വ ദേവഗണങ്ങൾ, നാരായണന്റെ പാദപദ്മാശ്രയരായി, വിവിധ ആയുധങ്ങളാൽ ദൈത്യന്മാരെതിരെ പ്രത്യാക്രമണം നടത്തി।

Synonyms

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of sequence; meaning ‘thereafter/then’

• sura-gaṇāḥ: the hosts of gods
• sura-gaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘of suras’ + ‘group’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) plural (बहुवचन); adjective qualifying sura-gaṇāḥ

• sudhayā: with nectar
• sudhayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sudhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) singular (एकवचन); means/with nectar

• pītayā: having drunk
• pītayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pī (धाातु) → pīta (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कर्मणि), feminine instrumental singular agreeing with sudhayā; ‘having been drunk’/‘by drinking’

• edhitāḥ: invigorated
• edhitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: edh (धातु) → edhita (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), masculine nominative plural; predicate adjective of sura-gaṇāḥ; ‘grown/invigorated’

• prati-saṁ-yuyudhuḥ: they fought back
• prati-saṁ-yuyudhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yudh (धातु) with prefixes prati+sam (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) plural (बहुवचन), parasmaipada; ‘they fought back/engaged’

• śastraiḥ: with weapons
• śastraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) plural (बहुवचन); means/with weapons

• nārāyaṇa-pada-āśrayāḥ: taking refuge at Nārāyaṇa’s feet
• nārāyaṇa-pada-āśrayāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nārāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक) + āśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa chain: ‘Nārāyaṇa’s’ + ‘feet’ + ‘having refuge’; adjective of sura-gaṇāḥ

Characters & Entities

• Sura-gaṇāḥ (Demigods)
• Nārāyaṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking shelter of Narayana during conflict?

This verse states that the demigods fought effectively because they were nārāyaṇa-padāśrayāḥ—taking shelter of Lord Nārāyaṇa’s lotus feet, which is presented as the true source of strength and protection.

Why did the demigods become powerful after drinking the nectar (amrita)?

After drinking sudhā (amṛta), the demigods became edhitāḥ—revived and invigorated—so they could re-enter the battle with renewed power, supported by their dependence on Nārāyaṇa.

Practical application of 'Narayana-pada-ashraya' in modern life?

Face challenges by grounding your actions in devotion—regular prayer, remembrance of God, and dharmic conduct—so that inner steadiness (not mere external advantage) becomes your real strength.