Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 24

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

मघवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य बले: परममुद्यमम् । सर्वदेवगणोपेतो गुरुमेतदुवाच ह ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

maghavāṁs tam abhipretya baleḥ paramam udyamam sarva-deva-gaṇopeto gurum etad uvāca ha

Translation

Melihat usaha Bali Mahārāja yang tidak mengenal lelah dan memahami maksudnya, Maghavā Indra bersama para dewa lain mendekati gurunya, Bṛhaspati, lalu berkata demikian.

Synonyms

• maghavān: Indra (Maghavan)
• maghavān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maghavan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; name/epithet of Indra

• tam: him (Bali)
• tam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• abhipretya: having understood/considered
• abhipretya: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल/Anterior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√i (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Gerund/Absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) = ‘having approached/considered’

• baleḥ: of Bali
• baleḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• paramam: greatest, extreme
• paramam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; modifies ‘udyamam’

• udyamam: effort, enterprise
• udyamam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sarva-deva-gaṇa-upetaḥ: accompanied by all the hosts of gods
• sarva-deva-gaṇa-upetaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त from upa-√i)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; PPP ‘upeta’ = ‘accompanied’; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सर्वदेवगणेन उपेतः)

• gurum: to the teacher (Bṛhaspati)
• gurum: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; demonstrative pronoun used as object of speech

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्/perfect), Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Singular

• ha: indeed/forsooth
• ha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) adding emphasis/tradition

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Maghavān)
• Bali Mahārāja
• Bṛhaspati
• Demigods (Deva-gaṇas)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 8.15.24 describe?

It describes Indra recognizing Bali Mahārāja’s powerful advance and, along with the other demigods, going to his guru Bṛhaspati for counsel.

Why did Indra approach Bṛhaspati when Bali became powerful?

Because the demigods were being overpowered; Indra sought the guidance of his spiritual master to respond properly and in a dharmic, effective way.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

When facing a stronger opponent or a crisis, don’t act impulsively—seek wise counsel from qualified mentors and proceed with humility and clear strategy.