Shloka 10
शबलाहरणम्
The Attempted Seizure of Sabalā (Kāmadhenu) and the Triumph of Brahmic Power
न हि तुल्यं बलं मह्यं राजा त्वद्य विशेषत:।बली राजा क्षत्रियश्च पृथिव्या: पतिरेव च।।।।
na hi tulyaṃ balaṃ mahyaṃ rājā tv adya viśeṣataḥ |
balī rājā kṣatriyaś ca pṛthivyāḥ patir eva ca || 1.54.10 ||
মোৰ বল ৰজাৰ সমান নহয়—বিশেষকৈ আজি। ৰজা বলৱান; তেওঁ ক্ষত্ৰিয়, আৰু সঁচাকৈয়ে পৃথিৱীৰ অধিপতি।
I am no match for his strength, especially he is a king. Being king, he is a warrior, powerful and lord of the earth.
FAQs
It points to a dharmic tension: worldly power can overwhelm the weak, but power alone does not establish moral right.
During Śabalā’s seizure, her helplessness is expressed against royal force and authority.
Humility and realism about power, setting up the need for protection through righteous authority (Vasiṣṭha’s tapas and dharma).