Shloka 56
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
दृष्ट्वा मृधे गरुडवाहमिभारिवाह आविध्य शूलमहिनोदथ कालनेमि: । तल्लीलया गरुडमूर्ध्नि पतद् गृहीत्वा तेनाहनन्नृप सवाहमरिं त्र्यधीश: ॥ ५६ ॥
dṛṣṭvā mṛdhe garuḍa-vāham ibhāri-vāha āvidhya śūlam ahinod atha kālanemiḥ tal līlayā garuḍa-mūrdhni patad gṛhītvā tenāhanan nṛpa savāham ariṁ tryadhīśaḥ
दृष्ट्वा मृधे गरुडवाहं त्र्यधीशं कालनेमिरसुरः सिंहवाहः। शूलमाविध्य गरुडमूर्ध्नि प्राक्षिपत्; हरिस्तल्लीलया गृहीत्वा तेनैव सवाहमरिं जघान॥
In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says:
FAQs
This verse shows Viṣṇu’s effortless protection—He catches a deadly trident aimed at Garuḍa and immediately neutralizes the threat, demonstrating His supreme guardianship.
In the demigod–demon war narrative, Kālanemi confronts Viṣṇu as an enemy of the devas; his trident attack is part of the asuras’ attempt to overpower the divine side.
The takeaway is trust: when one takes shelter of the Lord, protection comes in unexpected ways—encouraging steadiness, prayer, and dharmic action even amid conflict.