Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.10.41
बलिर्महेन्द्रं दशभिस्त्रिभिरैरावतं शरै: ।
चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहानेकेनारोहमार्च्छयत् ॥ ४१ ॥
balir mahendraṁ daśabhis
[balir mahendram dashabhis]
tribhir airāvataṁ śaraiḥ
[tribhir airaavatam sharaih]
caturbhiś caturo vāhān
[chaturbhish chaturo vaahaan]
ekenāroham ārcchayat
[ekenaaroham aarchchayat]
Word-for-word
baliḥ
—
Mahārāja Bali
mahā-indram
—
the King of heaven
daśabhiḥ
—
with ten
tribhiḥ
—
with three
airāvatam
—
Airāvata, carrying Indra
śaraiḥ
—
by arrows
caturbhiḥ
—
by four arrows
caturaḥ
—
the four
vāhān
—
mounted soldiers
ekena
—
by one
āroham
—
the driver of the elephants
ārcchayat
—
attacked.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
balir mahendraṁ daśabhis
baliḥ
Mahārāja Bali
mahā-indram
the King of heaven
daśabhiḥ
with ten
tribhir airāvataṁ śaraiḥ
tribhiḥ
with three
airāvatam
Airāvata, carrying Indra
śaraiḥ
by arrows
caturbhiś caturo vāhān
caturbhiḥ
by four arrows
caturaḥ
the four
vāhān
mounted soldiers
ekenāroham ārcchayat
ekena
by one
āroham
the driver of the elephants
ārcchayat
attacked.
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.
Purport
The word vāhān refers to the soldiers on horseback who protected the legs of the carrier elephants. According to the system of military arrangement, the legs of the elephant bearing the commander were also protected.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
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 guardians of Airāvata's legs, and with one arrow he attacked the driver of the elephant.
Vāhān refers to the porters of the elephant’s legs. He pierced the elephant driver (āroham).
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Bali attacked Indra with ten arrows, the elephant with three, the guards with four. Even in chaos, the demon king kept careful targeting. Skilled adversaries do not spray; they aim. Be wary of opponents who attack with method.
Reflection Questions
- What methodical attack is currently aimed at different parts of my life — and have I noticed the pattern?
- Where am I spraying defense rather than identifying the precise points being targeted?
My note
Source: vedabase.io