Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 13

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

Devanagari script

सखायं पतितं द‍ृष्ट्वा जम्भो बलिसख: सुहृत् । अभ्ययात् सौहृदं सख्युर्हतस्यापि समाचरन् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

sakhāyaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā jambho bali-sakhaḥ suhṛt abhyayāt sauhṛdaṁ sakhyur hatasyāpi samācaran

Translation

Als Jambhāsura, Balis Freund und Wohlgesinnter, sah, dass sein Gefährte gefallen war, trat er vor Indra, den Feind, um die Pflicht der Freundschaft in herzlicher Gesinnung zu erfüllen, selbst gegenüber dem niedergestreckten Freund.

Synonyms

• सखायम्: (his) friend
• सखायम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• पतितम्: fallen
• पतितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पत् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् of सखायम्

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दृश् (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive)

• जम्भः: Jambha
• जम्भः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• बलिसखः: Bali’s friend
• बलिसखः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि-सख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (genitive/determinative): बलि(स्य) + सखः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुहृत्: well-wisher
• सुहृत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुहृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• अभ्ययात्: approached/went near
• अभ्ययात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-या (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• सौहृदम्: friendship/affection
• सौहृदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौहृद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• सख्युः: of (his) friend
• सख्युः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सखि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (genitive), एकवचन (singular)

• हतस्य: of the slain
• हतस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हन् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी विभक्ति (genitive), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् of सख्युः

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (निपातार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (also/even)

• समाचरन्: showing/performing (conducting)
• समाचरन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular); (काव्ये) वर्तमानकालिक-क्रिया

Characters & Entities

• Jambha
• Bali

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about friendship and loyalty even in conflict?

This verse shows Jambha rushing to his fallen friend out of sauhṛda—affectionate loyalty—highlighting how strong personal bonds can drive action even amid violent conflict.

Why did Jambha rush forward after seeing his friend fallen?

Jambha, described as Bali’s friend and well-wisher, acted from friendship and concern; even though his companion was already slain, he still moved forward in loyal response.

Practical application of this shloka’s teaching in modern life?

It reminds us to stand by genuine friends in hardship—but also to pair loyalty with discernment, so attachment does not pull us into harmful choices.