Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

तमाकृष्य हलाग्रेण बल्वलं गगनेचरम् । मूषलेनाहनत्क्रुद्धो मूर्ध्‍नि ब्रह्मद्रुहं बल: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tam ākṛṣya halāgreṇa balvalaṁ gagane-caram mūṣalenāhanat kruddho mūrdhni brahma-druhaṁ balaḥ

Translation

With the tip of His plow Lord Balarāma caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brāhmaṇas on the head.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd case, Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• आकृष्य: having dragged/pulled
• आकृष्य: Kriya (क्रियाविशेषण/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृष् (धातु) उपसर्गः आ-
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having pulled)

• हलाग्रेण: with the plough-tip
• हलाग्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हल + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समासान्त-प्रातिपदिक), तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd case, Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हलस्य अग्रेण = with the tip of the plough)

• बल्वलम्: Balvala (the demon)
• बल्वलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd case, Accusative), एकवचन

• गगनेचरम्: sky-roaming
• गगनेचरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गगन + चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd case, Accusative), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (गगने चरः = moving in the sky)

• मूषलेन: with a club
• मूषलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd case, Instrumental), एकवचन

• अहनत्: struck/killed
• अहनत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• क्रुद्धः: angry
• क्रुद्धः: Karta-pravṛtti (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रुध् (धातु) → क्रुद्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used adjectivally), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th case, Locative), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मद्रुहम्: Brahmin-hating/offender of Brahmins
• ब्रह्मद्रुहम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + द्रुह् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणे द्रुह्यति = one who harms Brahmins)

• बलः: Balarāma
• बलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st case, Nominative), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Balvala

FAQs

Who is Balvala in Srimad Bhagavatam and why was he killed?

Balvala is a sky-roaming demon who harassed the sages and disrupted their sacred rites; Balarāma pulled him down with His plow and killed him to protect dharma and the brāhmaṇas.

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam mean by the term 'brahma-druha'?

'Brahma-druha' refers to one who is hostile to brāhmaṇas and sacred Vedic order—an aggressor who attacks spiritual culture and the performance of yajña and tapas.

How can devotees apply this verse in modern life?

It teaches standing up for genuine spiritual practice and protecting sacred learning and integrity—firmly opposing actions that harm dharma while remaining devoted to the Lord’s purpose.