Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.10.41
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Commander’s Carrier Was Also Protected
“Mahārāja Bali then attacked Indra with ten arrows and attacked Airāvata, Indra’s carrier elephant, with three arrows. With four arrows he attacked the four horsemen guarding Airāvata’s legs, and with one arrow he attacked the driver of the elephant.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Bali attacked Indra with ten arrows and Airāvata, his carrier elephant, with three.
- He directed four arrows at the four horsemen guarding Airāvata’s legs and one at the elephant’s driver.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that vāhān refers to these mounted guards. Military arrangements included protection for the legs of the elephant bearing the commander.
Try this today
Make a short list of those attacked, noting the protective role of the four horsemen.
Ask yourself
What does this arrangement show about the protection surrounding the commander?
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.