Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.15.26
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognizing the Scale of Bali’s Power
“No one anywhere can counteract this military arrangement of Bali’s. It now appears that Bali is trying to drink up the entire universe with his mouth, lick up the ten directions with his tongue, and raise fire in every direction with his eyes. Indeed, he has arisen like the annihilating fire known as saṁvartaka.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra described Bali’s military arrangement as something no one anywhere could counteract.
- Bali appeared ready to drink up the universe, lick up the ten directions, and raise fire everywhere with his eyes.
- His overwhelming power was compared to the annihilating fire known as saṁvartaka.
Try this today
Reread the verse slowly and identify one image that conveys Bali’s overwhelming power.
Ask yourself
How do these vivid comparisons help me understand the seriousness of the situation?
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.