Shloka 31

Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla

Devanagari script

ईशो दुरत्यय: काल इति सत्यवती श्रुति: । वृद्धानामपि यद् बुद्धिर्बालवाक्यैर्विभिद्यते ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

īśo duratyayaḥ kāla iti satyavatī srutiḥ vṛddhānām api yad buddhir bāla-vākyair vibhidyate

Translation

[Śiśupāla sprach:] Wahr ist das vedische Wort, dass die Zeit der unausweichliche Lenker ist; denn selbst der Verstand weiser Greise wurde durch die Worte eines bloßen Knaben abgelenkt.

Synonyms

• ईशः: the Lord
• ईशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• दुरत्ययः: hard to overcome
• दुरत्ययः: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुरत्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• कालः: Time
• कालः: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इति: thus (as)
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इत्यादि-उद्धरणसूचक (quotative particle)

• सत्यवती: true, truthful
• सत्यवती: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier of śrutiḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्यवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• श्रुतिः: scriptural statement (śruti)
• श्रुतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वृद्धानाम्: of the elders
• वृद्धानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/समुच्चय (particle: even/also)

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Hetu/Viśeṣaṇa (हेतु/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• बुद्धिः: intellect, judgment
• बुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बाल-वाक्यैः: by childish words
• बाल-वाक्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘of a child’ + ‘words’)

• विभिद्यते: is split/confounded
• विभिद्यते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-भिद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Kala (Time) being God?

This verse states that Kala is īśa—Time is the Lord Himself—and therefore cannot be overcome; even strong human judgment can be overturned under its influence.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize that even elders can be swayed by childish words?

He highlights the overpowering nature of Time: when Kala acts, even mature, experienced intelligence may become confused and diverted by trivial influences.

Practical application of this teaching about Time in modern life?

Do not rely only on age or confidence for right judgment; stay grounded in śāstra, seek saintly counsel, and cultivate steady devotion, knowing that Time can unsettle the mind unexpectedly.