Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.15.10-11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBali Advances With a Powerful Army
“When he assembled with his own soldiers and the demon chiefs, who were equal to him in strength, opulence and beauty, they appeared as if they would swallow the sky and burn all directions with their vision. After thus gathering the demoniac soldiers, Bali Mahārāja departed for the opulent capital of Indra. Indeed, he seemed to make the entire surface of the world tremble.”
What the purport teaches
- Bali Mahārāja assembled with his soldiers and demon chiefs who equaled him in strength, opulence, and beauty.
- They appeared as if they would swallow the sky and burn all directions with their vision.
- Bali Mahārāja departed with the demoniac soldiers for Indra’s opulent capital. He seemed to make the entire surface of the world tremble.
Try this today
Identify the phrases beginning with “as if” or using “seemed,” and notice how they convey the army’s overwhelming appearance.
Ask yourself
What impression do the descriptions of the sky, directions, and trembling world give you of this army?
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.