Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 22

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

यां न व्रजन्त्यधर्मिष्ठा: खला भूतद्रुह: शठा: । मानिन: कामिनो लुब्धा एभिर्हीना व्रजन्ति यत् ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

yāṁ na vrajanty adharmiṣṭhāḥ khalā bhūta-druhaḥ śaṭhāḥ māninaḥ kāmino lubdhā ebhir hīnā vrajanti yat

Translation

None who were unrighteous—wicked, harmful to living beings, deceitful, falsely proud, lust-driven, or greedy—could enter that city. Those who dwelt there were wholly free from such faults.

Synonyms

• yām: which (city)
• yām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; relative pronoun

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• vrajanti: go, enter
• vrajanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vraj (धातु)
• Form: Lat (लट्/present), Parasmaipada; 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• adharmiṣṭhāḥ: the most unrighteous
• adharmiṣṭhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adharmiṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; superlative sense ‘most unrighteous’

• khalāḥ: wicked people
• khalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• bhūta-druhaḥ: those who harm living beings
• bhūta-druhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + druh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (भूतानां द्रुहः = beings-haters)

• śaṭhāḥ: deceitful ones
• śaṭhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• māninaḥ: proud people
• māninaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mānin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• kāminaḥ: lustful people
• kāminaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāmin (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• lubdhāḥ: greedy ones
• lubdhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lubdha (कृदन्त from √lubh)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; PPP used substantively

• ebhiḥ: by/with these (qualities)
• ebhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; demonstrative pronoun

• hīnāḥ: devoid (of them)
• hīnāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hīna (कृदन्त from √hā)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; PPP ‘devoid of’

• vrajanti: go, enter
• vrajanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vraj (धातु)
• Form: Lat (लट्/present), Parasmaipada; 3rd person, Plural

• yat: because/that
• yat: Hetu (हेतु/Cause marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: Avyaya use of relative pronoun ‘yat’ = ‘because/that’ (यत्-कारण)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about qualities that prevent spiritual progress?

This verse states that irreligion, wickedness, harming others, deceit, pride, lust, and greed obstruct one from attaining the higher spiritual destination; freedom from these faults is required.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 8.15.22 and in what context?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this while narrating the events of Canto 8, Chapter 15, emphasizing the moral and spiritual qualifications needed to reach the supreme goal beyond merely worldly power.

How can I apply Bhagavatam 8.15.22 in modern life?

Practice honesty, humility, self-control, compassion, and contentment—reducing harm to others and curbing pride, lust, and greed—so one’s life becomes fit for genuine devotion and higher realization.