Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 22

Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma–Duryodhana

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा द्विजै: कथ्यमानं कुरुपाण्डवसंयुगे । सर्वराजन्यनिधनं भारं मेने हृतं भुव: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

śrutvā dvijaiḥ kathyamānaṁ kuru-pāṇḍava-saṁyuge sarva-rājanya-nidhanaṁ bhāraṁ mene hṛtaṁ bhuvaḥ

Translation

The Lord heard from some brāhmaṇas how all the kings involved in the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas had been killed. From this He concluded that the earth was now relieved of her burden.

Synonyms

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय-क्रियाविशेषण (Gerund/Absolutive), from √श्रु; ‘having heard’

• द्विजैः: by the brāhmaṇas (twice-born)
• द्विजैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• कथ्यमानम्: being narrated
• कथ्यमानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त (Present passive participle/शानच्-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘being narrated’

• कुरु-पाण्डव-संयुगे: in the battle between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas
• कुरु-पाण्डव-संयुगे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + पाण्डव (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘कुरुपाण्डवानां संयुगे’)

• सर्व-राजन्य-निधनम्: the destruction of all the kings
• सर्व-राजन्य-निधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + निधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः (‘सर्वेषां राजन्यानां निधनम्’)

• भारम्: burden
• भारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मेने: he considered
• मेने: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; √मन् ‘to think/consider’

• हृतम्: removed
• हृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘removed/taken away’

• भुवः: of the earth
• भुवः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक: भुव्/भू)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन; ‘of the earth’

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Kuru
• Pāṇḍava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the earth’s burden (bhū-bhāra) being removed?

This verse says that after hearing how the Kuru–Pāṇḍava war led to the destruction of the royal warriors, Lord Balarāma understood that the earth’s burden had been lifted.

Why did Balarama consider the Kuru–Pāṇḍava war significant?

Because the war resulted in the downfall of many oppressive or overburdening rulers, fulfilling the divine purpose of reducing the earth’s burden.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

It reminds us that unchecked pride and violence in leadership creates “burden,” while dharma, humility, and accountability restore balance—starting with our own conduct and responsibilities.