Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 10

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

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

तुल्यैश्वर्यबलश्रीभि: स्वयूथैर्दैत्ययूथपै: । पिबद्भ‍िरिव खं द‍ृग्भिर्दहद्भ‍ि: परिधीनिव ॥ १० ॥ वृतो विकर्षन् महतीमासुरीं ध्वजिनीं विभु: । ययाविन्द्रपुरीं स्वृद्धां कम्पयन्निव रोदसी ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

tulyaiśvarya-bala-śrībhiḥ sva-yūthair daitya-yūthapaiḥ pibadbhir iva khaṁ dṛgbhir dahadbhiḥ paridhīn iva

Translation

Được vây quanh bởi quân sĩ của mình và các thủ lĩnh daitya ngang bằng về quyền lực, sức mạnh và vinh quang, Bali Mahārāja trông như đang uống cạn bầu trời bằng ánh nhìn và thiêu đốt mọi phương hướng.

Synonyms

• तुल्य: equal (in)
• तुल्य: Hetu/Karaṇa (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; used adjectivally with aiśvarya-bala-śrībhiḥ (समान- ‘equal’)

• ऐश्वर्य: sovereignty, lordship
• ऐश्वर्य: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (collective sense with bala, śrī)

• बल: strength
• बल: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• श्री: splendor, prosperity
• श्री: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• स्व: one’s own
• स्व: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; possessive adjective qualifying yūthaiḥ

• यूथैः: with troops, groups
• यूथैः: Sahakāraka (सह/सहाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यूथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• दैत्य: of the Daityas (demons)
• दैत्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; in compound relation with yūthapa

• यूथपैः: with troop-leaders
• यूथपैः: Sahakāraka (सह/सहाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यूथप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• पिबद्भिः: as if drinking
• पिबद्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; qualifying dṛgbhiḥ

• इव: as if, like
• इव: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमा-अव्यय)

• खम्: the sky
• खम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• दृग्भिः: with (their) eyes/glances
• दृग्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृश्/दृग् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; ‘with eyes/glances’

• दहद्भिः: burning
• दहद्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दह् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; qualifying dṛgbhiḥ

• परिधीन्: the quarters/horizons
• परिधीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• इव: as if, like
• इव: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमा-अव्यय)

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Daityas (demons)
• Daitya commanders (yūthapāḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power and splendor of Bali Maharaja’s army?

This verse describes Bali surrounded by powerful Daitya leaders, all equally opulent and strong, with an awe-inspiring presence likened to blazing eyes that seem to consume the sky and burn the horizons.

Why is Bali Maharaja described with such intense imagery in Canto 8?

The narrative highlights the overwhelming might of the Daityas at this point, setting the stage for the Lord’s intervention (Vāmana/Viṣṇu) to protect the devas and restore cosmic balance.

Practical application: what does this verse teach about worldly power?

Worldly strength and splendor can appear all-consuming, but the Bhagavatam frames such power as temporary—true shelter is taken in the Supreme Lord rather than in intimidating material dominance.