Shloka 38
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
भुञ्जते कुरुभिर्दत्तं भूखण्डं वृष्णय: किल । उपानह: किल वयं स्वयं तु कुरव: शिर: ॥ ३८ ॥
bhuñjate kurubhir dattaṁ bhū-khaṇḍaṁ vṛṣṇayaḥ kila upānahaḥ kila vayaṁ svayaṁ tu kuravaḥ śiraḥ
Genießen wir Vṛṣṇis etwa nur das kleine Stück Land, das uns die Kurus gewähren? Und sind wir wahrlich wie Schuhe, während die Kurus das Haupt sind?
FAQs
This verse depicts the Kurus’ arrogant self-comparison as “the head” and the Vṛṣṇis as “shoes,” illustrating how pride distorts vision and breeds disrespect—an attitude the Bhagavatam repeatedly shows leads to conflict and eventual humiliation.
In the narrative setting of Hastināpura, certain Kurus, intoxicated by dynastic prestige and power, belittled the Vṛṣṇis—forgetting the Vṛṣṇis’ true strength and, above all, Kṛṣṇa’s divine position—thus revealing their political vanity.
Avoid status-based contempt: when success makes one see others as “lesser,” relationships and judgment deteriorate. The verse warns to cultivate humility and respect, especially when power or lineage tempts one toward arrogance.