Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 5

Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction

Devanagari script

तेज ओजो बलं वीर्यं प्रश्रयादींश्च सद्गुणान् । प्रजानुरागं पार्थेषु न सहद्भ‍िश्चिकीर्षितम् ॥ ५ ॥ कृतं च धार्तराष्ट्रैर्यद् गरदानाद्यपेशलम् । आचख्यौ सर्वमेवास्मै पृथा विदुर एव च ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

teja ojo balaṁ vīryaṁ praśrayādīṁś ca sad-guṇān prajānurāgaṁ pārtheṣu na sahadbhiś cikīṛṣitam

Translation

Kuntī and Vidura described to Akrūra in detail the evil intentions of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, who could not tolerate the great qualities of Kuntī’s sons — such as their powerful influence, military skill, physical strength, bravery and humility — or the intense affection the citizens had for them. Kuntī and Vidura also told Akrūra about how the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra had tried to poison the Pāṇḍavas and carry out other such plots.

Synonyms

• tejaḥ: splendor
• tejaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• ojaḥ: vigor
• ojaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ojas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• balam: strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• vīryam: valor/potency
• vīryam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• praśraya-ādīn: humility and the like
• praśraya-ādīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praśraya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (praśrayaḥ ādiḥ yeṣām)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• sat-guṇān: good qualities
• sat-guṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (santaḥ guṇāḥ)

• prajā-anurāgam: affection for the subjects
• prajā-anurāgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक) + anurāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (prajāyāḥ anurāgaḥ)

• pārtheṣu: toward/among the sons of Pṛthā (Pāṇḍavas)
• pārtheṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative), बहुवचन

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• sahadbhiḥ: by the enduring/forbearing (ones)
• sahadbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘(taiḥ) sahadbhiḥ’ = ‘by those who could tolerate/endure’

• cikīrṣitam: (what was) intended to be done
• cikīrṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) + cikīrṣita (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि/भावे ‘cikīrṣita’ (desiderative sense: ‘wished to do’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (contextually object: ‘that which was intended’)

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthā (Kuntī)
• Pārthas (Pāṇḍavas)

FAQs

What qualities are praised in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 about righteous leaders?

This verse highlights splendor, vigor, strength, heroism, and saintly qualities beginning with humility—traits that naturally inspire public affection and support.

Why were the sons of Pṛthā (the Pāṇḍavas) not tolerated by their rivals?

Because the people loved the Pāṇḍavas for their virtues and power; the envious could not bear that popularity and therefore plotted against them.

How can I apply the teaching of this verse in modern life?

Cultivate strength and competence while remaining humble; also recognize envy as a destructive force and avoid letting jealousy motivate decisions.