Shloka 10

The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance

Devanagari script

राज्यैश्वर्यमदोन्नद्धो न श्रेयो विन्दते नृप: । त्वन्मायामोहितोऽनित्या मन्यते सम्पदोऽचला: ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

rājyaiśvarya-madonnaddho na śreyo vindate nṛpaḥ tvan-māyā-mohito ’nityā manyate sampado ’calāḥ

Translation

Vom Rausch der Herrschaft und des Reichtums aufgebläht, findet ein König nicht sein wahres Heil. Von Deiner Māyā betört, hält er vergängliche Güter für dauerhaft und unerschütterlich.

Synonyms

• rājya-aiśvarya-mada-unnaddhaḥ: puffed up with the pride of royal power
• rājya-aiśvarya-mada-unnaddhaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक) + aiśvarya (प्रातिपदिक) + mada (प्रातिपदिक) + unnaddha (कृदन्त; √nand/√nad? here as past participle sense 'inflated')
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (determinative): 'राज्य-ऐश्वर्य-मदेन उन्नद्धः' (inflated by pride of kingdom and sovereignty)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• śreyaḥ: the true good
• śreyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; 'श्रेयस्' (better good)

• vindate: attains
• vindate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vid (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• nṛpaḥ: the king
• nṛpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• tvat-māyā-mohitaḥ: deluded by Your māyā
• tvat-māyā-mohitaḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + mohita (कृदन्त; √muh)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: 'त्वन्मायया मोहितः' (deluded by Your māyā)

• anityāḥ: impermanent
• anityāḥ: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; 'सम्पदः' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• manyate: thinks/considers
• manyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• sampadaḥ: prosperities/fortunes
• sampadaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sampad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• acalāḥ: steady/unchanging
• acalāḥ: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: acala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; 'सम्पदः' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Purport

The word unnaddha indicates that one who is intoxicated by false pride goes beyond the boundaries of proper behavior. Human life is meant to be governed by dharma, spiritual principles for gradual advancement to the perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Blinded by wealth and power, however, a foolish person does not hesitate to act whimsically, against the laws of nature and God. Unfortunately, this is now the situation in the prosperous Western countries.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride in wealth and power?

This verse warns that intoxication with rulership and opulence blocks one’s real good (śreyas), because māyā makes temporary wealth appear permanent.

Why did Krishna speak about māyā and temporary opulence in Canto 10 Chapter 73?

Krishna highlights how material pride deludes a ruler into thinking unstable prosperity is secure, steering him away from dharma and lasting spiritual benefit.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Treat status and money as temporary, practice humility and accountability, and anchor decisions in devotion and dharma rather than ego and prestige.