Shloka 14

Pradyumna’s Abduction, Mahā-māyā, and the Slaying of Śambara

Devanagari script

तमिमं जहि दुर्धर्षं दुर्जयं शत्रुमात्मन: । मायाशतविदं तं च मायाभिर्मोहनादिभि: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

tam imaṁ jahi durdharṣaṁ durjayaṁ śatrum ātmanaḥ māyā-śata-vidaṁ taṁ ca māyābhir mohanādibhiḥ

Translation

Töte nun diesen furchtbaren Śambara, Deinen schwer bezwingbaren Feind. Auch wenn er Hunderte von Māyā-Künsten kennt, wirst Du ihn mit verwirrenden Māyās und anderen Mitteln besiegen.

Synonyms

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

• इमम्: this (one)
• इमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• जहि: kill
• जहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दुर्धर्षम्: hard to overpower
• दुर्धर्षम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्धर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘hard to assail’

• दुर्जयम्: invincible
• दुर्जयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘hard to conquer’

• शत्रुम्: enemy
• शत्रुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of yourself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• माया-शत-विदम्: knower of hundreds of magical arts
• माया-शत-विदम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्विप्/क्विन्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘विद्’ (knower), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी/तत्पुरुषार्थ (मायानां शतानि वेत्ति इति)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-निर्देश

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—समुच्चय (conjunction)

• मायाभिः: by (his) magical powers
• मायाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मोहन-आदिभिः: with deluding (and other) [powers]
• मोहन-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोहन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मोहनं च अन्ये च) ‘etc.’-sense

Characters & Entities

• Rukmi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about using maya (illusion) against an enemy?

This verse depicts a worldly, aggressive use of māyā—bewildering and similar tactics—showing how illusion can be weaponized in conflict, in contrast to the Bhagavatam’s higher ideal of surrender to the Lord beyond māyā.

Why did Rukmi say this to his associates in Canto 10 Chapter 55?

In the narrative surrounding Pradyumna’s story and the ensuing hostilities, Rukmi incites his side to overpower a feared opponent, urging the use of deceptive stratagems to win what he considers an urgent fight.

Practical application of the concept of mohana (bewilderment) in modern life?

The verse highlights how “bewilderment” can be used manipulatively; a devotee can apply this by recognizing propaganda, emotional manipulation, and ego-driven tactics, and choosing clarity, truthfulness, and devotion instead.