Shloka 21

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

उग्रसेन: क्षितेशेशो यद् व आज्ञापयत् प्रभु: । तदव्यग्रधिय: श्रुत्वा कुरुध्वमविलम्बितम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

ugrasenaḥ kṣiteśeśo yad va ājñāpayat prabhuḥ tad avyagra-dhiyaḥ śrutvā kurudhvam avilambitam

Translation

[Balarāma sprach:] König Ugrasena ist unser Herr und der Gebieter der Könige. Hört mit ungeteilter Aufmerksamkeit, was er euch aufgetragen hat, und führt es unverzüglich aus.

Synonyms

• उग्रसेनः: Ugrasena
• उग्रसेनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उग्रसेन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st) एकवचनम्

• क्षित-ईश-ईशः: lord of earthly rulers
• क्षित-ईश-ईशः: Visheshya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षित्/क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक; ‘earth’) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st) एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः—‘क्षितेः ईशानाम् ईशः’ (lord of the lords of the earth)

• यत्: what (that which)
• यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम्; सम्बन्धक ‘what/that which’

• वः: to you
• वः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी-बहुवचनस्य एन्क्लिटिक-रूपम्; अत्र चतुर्थी (4th/Dative) बहुवचनम् ‘to you’

• आज्ञापयत्: ordered/commanded
• आज्ञापयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √ज्ञा (धातु) + णिच् (causative)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect) परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd) एकवचनम्; णिजन्त (causative)

• प्रभुः: the lord/master
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st) एकवचनम्

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd) एकवचनम्; ‘that’ (object of hearing)

• अव्यग्र-धियः: with undistracted minds
• अव्यग्र-धियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st) बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः—‘अव्यग्रा धियः येषाम्’ (also interpretable as bahuvrīhi; here as adjective in plural)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √श्रु (धातु) + क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययम् (Gerund)

• कुरुध्वम्: do (you all)!
• कुरुध्वम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative) आत्मनेपदम्; मध्यमपुरुषः (2nd) बहुवचनम्

• अविलम्बितम्: without delay
• अविलम्बितम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अविलम्बित (प्रातिपदिक; past passive participle from अव + √लम्ब्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd) एकवचनम्; क्रियाविशेषणवत् प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative)

Characters & Entities

• Ugrasena

FAQs

Why does Krishna emphasize obeying King Ugrasena in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.68.21?

This verse highlights proper rajadharma and social order: although Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, He supports Ugrasena’s rightful kingship and instructs the Yādavas to follow the king’s command promptly and attentively.

What does “avyagra-dhiyaḥ” mean in this shloka?

“Avyagra-dhiyaḥ” means “with undistracted, unagitated minds,” indicating focused hearing and a calm, service-ready disposition while receiving instructions.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life as a devotee?

Listen carefully before acting, respect legitimate leadership and elders, and execute your duties quickly and sincerely—turning obedience and prompt service into practical bhakti.