Shloka 36

Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow

Mathurā-līlā Prelude

Devanagari script

वाद्यमानेषु तूर्येषु मल्लतालोत्तरेषु च । मल्ला: स्वलङ्कृता: द‍ृप्ता: सोपाध्याया: समासत ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

vādyamānesu tūryeṣu malla-tālottareṣu ca mallāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ dṛptāḥ sopādhyāyāḥ samāsata

Translation

Während die Instrumente laut in den für den Ringkampf passenden Takten erklangen, betraten die reich geschmückten, stolzen Ringer mit ihren Lehrmeistern die Arena und setzten sich.

Synonyms

• vādyamāneṣu: while being played
• vādyamāneṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vādyamāna (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √vad ‘to sound’/√vād ‘to play’ passive)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine (नपुंसक/पुं), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); वर्तमानकृदन्त (present passive participle) ‘being played’

• tūryeṣu: in the musical instruments
• tūryeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tūrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• malla-tāla-uttareṣu: in the upper sections for wrestlers and (tāla-)players
• malla-tāla-uttareṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: malla (प्रातिपदिक) + tāla (प्रातिपदिक) + uttara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); समास: तत्पुरुष ‘मल्ल-तालानाम् उत्तरेषु’ = in the higher/upper (seats) for wrestlers and tāla-keepers (or in the upper tiers named thus)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• mallāḥ: the wrestlers
• mallāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: malla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sva-alaṅkṛtāḥ: self-adorned
• sva-alaṅkṛtāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘स्वयम् अलङ्कृताः’ = self-adorned

• dṛptāḥ: arrogant / proud
• dṛptāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛpta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √dṛp ‘to be proud’)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); भूतकृदन्त/विशेषण

• sa-upādhyāyāḥ: together with their teachers
• sa-upādhyāyāḥ: Sahakāraka (सह/सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ ‘with’) + upādhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); अव्ययीभाव ‘सोपाध्यायाः’ = with their instructors/teachers

• samāsata: sat down / took their places
• samāsata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam+√ās (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); आत्मनेपद

Characters & Entities

• Kamsa
• wrestlers (Mallas)
• wrestling trainers (Upādhyāyas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the mood in Kamsa’s wrestling arena?

This verse describes a charged, festive atmosphere—loud instruments and drums—while the wrestlers, decorated and proud, sit with their trainers, setting the stage for Kṛṣṇa’s pastime.

Why are the wrestlers described as ‘adorned and proud’ in Bhagavatam 10.42.36?

Their external ornamentation and inner arrogance highlight their confidence in bodily strength, contrasting with Kṛṣṇa’s divine power that will soon overturn their pride.

Practical application: what lesson does this shloka give for modern life?

It cautions that external display and pride can blind one to higher reality; cultivating humility and spiritual vision protects one from being carried away by spectacle and ego.