Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.10.16-18
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesMahārāja Bali Leads From Vaihāyasa
“For that battle the most celebrated commander in chief, Mahārāja Bali, son of Virocana, was seated on a wonderful airplane named Vaihāyasa. O King, this beautifully decorated airplane had been manufactured by the demon Maya and was equipped with weapons for all types of combat. It was inconceivable and indescribable. Indeed, it was sometimes visible and sometimes not. Seated in this airplane under a beautiful protective umbrella and being fanned by the best of cāmaras, Mahārāja Bali, surrounded by his captains and commanders, appeared just like the moon rising in the evening, illuminating all directions.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Bali, son of Virocana, was the celebrated commander in chief of the demons. He sat on the wonderful airplane Vaihāyasa.
- Manufactured by Maya, the airplane carried weapons for every kind of combat. It was sometimes visible and sometimes invisible.
- Surrounded by captains and commanders, Bali sat beneath a protective umbrella and was fanned with cāmaras. He appeared like the rising evening moon illuminating all directions.
Try this today
Write one sentence recalling Bali’s position and the airplane’s unusual features.
Ask yourself
How does the comparison with the rising moon help you picture Mahārāja Bali among his commanders?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.