Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 8 Chapter 11:1-15

Book 8: Chapter 11

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 8: Chapter 11: Verses 1-15
Conclusion of the conflict between the gods and the demons

Sri Suka resumed: Having regained (their) presence of mind by the supreme grace of Lord Visnu (the supreme Person), the gods headed by indra ( the ruler of the gods) and Samirana (the wind-god), now struck hard each one of those (Asuras) by whom they had been jointly assailed before. When the glorious Indra (the chastiser of the demon Paka), full of anger, took up his thunderbolt in order to strike Bali (the son of Virocana), his subjects cried "Alas I" "Alas !" Reproaching the heroic Bali, who was well-equipped (with arms) and was ranging fearlessly before Indra in that great conflict, Indra (who wielded a thunderbolt in his hand), addressed him as follows:- Conquering fools whose eyes have been enchanted, a conjurer takes away their money. (Even so,) though no better than a conjurer, O fool, you seek to overpower us, lords of Maya, by means of incantations ! Those foolish robbers who seek to ascend to heaven, nay, rise (even) beyond heaven (to still higher regions) by means of spells, I cast still lower down than their former abode. As such I shall lop off your head today with (my) thunderbolt having a hundred joints, even though (I know) you are an adept in the use of melevolent spells. Exert yourself with (all) Your kinsfolk, O dull-witted one ! Bali replied: Fame, triumph, discomfiture and death fall in succession to the lot of all who are engaged in hostilities and whose actions are impelled by (a propitious or unpropitious) Time (Destiny). Therefore, wise men view (all) this (fame etc.), at determined by Time; they neither exult nor grieve over it. You are (however) ignorant of this truth. We (for our part) do not take to the heart your words that sting one to the quick, since you deserve to be pitied by pious souls in that you account your own self instrumental in bringing fame and so on.

Sri Suka went on: Having thus twitted the powerful god (indra) the valiant Bali, the vanquisher of heroes (in battle), struck him again with arrows pulled (right) up to the ear-him who had (already) been stung with taunts. Thus reproached by the enemy, who spoke the truth (all the same), the god (Indra) could not bear his insulting speech any more than an elephant pricked with a goad. Indra (the vanquisher of foes) hurled (his) unfailing thunderbolt against him so that, like a mountain that had its wings [1] clipped, Bali fell to the ground, car and all. Finding his friend (Bali) fallen (in battle), the demon Jambha, a (great) friend and well-wisher of Bali, assailed Indra, (thus) rendering good offices even to his fallen friend. Riding on a lion, Jambha, who was possessed of great might, approached Indra and, lifting his mace, struck him with (great) impetuousity on the collar-bone, as well as his elephant (Airavata). Tormented by the stroke of the mace and utterly confounded, the elephant touched the ground with its knees and fell into-a deep swoon.

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References

  1. We read in the Puranas fiat mountains had wings in the earliest times and could fly and seine down wherever they would.Finding them a greet menace to organic life, Indra clipped their wings and thus rendered them incapable of motion for all times.

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