Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9
The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali
गजाश्च यस्यायुतकोटिलक्षास्तावन्त एवाश्वरथा मुनींद्र । गजेगजे पंचशती पदातेः किं वर्ण्यते तस्य चमूर्वरिष्टा ॥ ९ ॥
gajāśca yasyāyutakoṭilakṣāstāvanta evāśvarathā munīṃdra | gajegaje paṃcaśatī padāteḥ kiṃ varṇyate tasya camūrvariṣṭā || 9 ||
Ôi bậc chúa tể giữa các hiền thánh! Ngài có voi chiến nhiều đến hàng vạn, hàng crore và hàng lakh; xe chiến mã cũng nhiều đúng bằng ấy. Mỗi voi lại có năm trăm bộ binh theo hầu. Làm sao có thể tả hết sự ưu việt của đạo quân vô song ấy?
Narada (addressing a munīndra within the dialogue framework)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
The verse uses deliberate numerical grandeur to highlight the magnitude of worldly power; in Purāṇic storytelling this often functions as a contrast—reminding the listener that even the greatest material strength is ultimately limited compared to dharma and the divine order.
Bhakti is not taught directly here; instead, the verse indirectly sets up a common Purāṇic theme: external might (armies, wealth, rank) is describable only with hyperbole, while true refuge and lasting victory are attained through dharma and devotion to the Supreme (often articulated elsewhere in Narada’s teachings).
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; the main takeaway is literary—Purāṇic prashasti-style enumeration (saṅkhyā/gaṇanā) used to convey scale in narrative description.