Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16

Govardhana-dhāraṇa: Kṛṣṇa Lifts Govardhana and Humbles Indra

Devanagari script

तत्र प्रतिविधिं सम्यगात्मयोगेन साधये । लोकेशमानिनां मौढ्याद्धनिष्ये श्रीमदं तम: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

tatra pratividhiṁ samyag ātma-yogena sādhaye lokeśa-mānināṁ mauḍhyād dhaniṣye śrī-madaṁ tamaḥ

Translation

By My mystic power I will completely counteract this disturbance caused by Indra. Demigods like Indra are proud of their opulence, and out of foolishness they falsely consider themselves the Lord of the universe. I will now destroy such ignorance.

Synonyms

• तत्र: there/then
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—देश/प्रसङ्गवाचक अव्यय (there/then)

• प्रतिविधिम्: countermeasure, remedy
• प्रतिविधिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिविधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• सम्यक्: properly
• सम्यक्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—क्रियाविशेषण (properly, correctly)

• आत्म-योगेन: by self-yoga
• आत्म-योगेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘आत्मनः योगः’ (yoga of the self)

• साधये: I accomplish
• साधये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: साध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• लोकेश-मानिनाम्: of those who deem themselves world-lords
• लोकेश-मानिनाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोकेश (प्रातिपदिक) + मानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘लोकेश इति मानिनः’ (those who think themselves lords of the world)

• मौढ्यात्: from delusion
• मौढ्यात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मौढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थे (from/owing to)

• हनिष्ये: I shall strike down / destroy
• हनिष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (भविष्यत्), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• श्री-मदम्: pride of fortune
• श्री-मदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + मद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘श्रिया मदः’ (pride due to prosperity)

• तमः: darkness, ignorance
• तमः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (छान्दस/पौराणिक-प्रयोगे प्रायः); ‘अन्धकारम्/अज्ञानम्’

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride caused by wealth and power (śrī-mada)?

This verse states that Kṛṣṇa removes the darkness of ignorance that arises when someone, intoxicated by opulence, imagines himself the lord of the world.

Why does Krishna speak about a ‘countermeasure’ in Bhagavatam 10.25.16?

In the Govardhana episode, Kṛṣṇa intends to rectify the situation created by arrogant heavenly authority and to protect His devotees, using His own divine potency.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It teaches that status and success can create blindness; cultivating humility and recognizing a higher order (Bhagavān) protects one from pride-driven decisions.