Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.10.19-24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Demons Rally Their Armies
“Surrounding Mahārāja Bali on all sides were the commanders and captains of the demons, sitting on their respective chariots. Among them were the following demons: Namuci, Śambara, Bāṇa, Vipracitti, Ayomukha, Dvimūrdhā, Kālanābha, Praheti, Heti, Ilvala, Śakuni, Bhūtasantāpa, Vajradaṁṣṭra, Virocana, Hayagrīva, Śaṅkuśirā, Kapila, Meghadundubhi, Tāraka, Cakradṛk, Śumbha, Niśumbha, Jambha, Utkala, Ariṣṭa, Ariṣṭanemi, Tripurādhipa, Maya, the sons of Puloma, the Kāleyas and Nivātakavaca. All of these demons had been deprived of their share of the nectar and had shared merely in the labor of churning the ocean. Now, they fought against the demigods, and to encourage their armies, they made a tumultuous sound like the roaring of lions and blew loudly on conchshells. Balabhit, Lord Indra, upon seeing this situation of his ferocious rivals, became extremely angry.”
What the purport teaches
- The demons’ commanders and captains surrounded Mahārāja Bali on their respective chariots.
- They had shared in the labor of churning the ocean but had been deprived of a share of the nectar. Now they fought against the demigods.
- To encourage their armies, they roared like lions and loudly blew conchshells. Seeing his ferocious rivals, Lord Indra became extremely angry.
Try this today
Identify the demons’ unshared reward, their way of encouraging their armies, and Indra’s response.
Ask yourself
What stands out to you about the sounds and emotions as the armies prepare to fight?
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.