Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14

Aditi’s Payo-vrata and Viṣṇu’s Promise to Appear as Her Son

Prelude to Vāmana

Devanagari script

इन्द्रज्येष्ठै: स्वतनयैर्हतानां युधि विद्विषाम् । स्त्रियो रुदन्तीरासाद्य द्रष्टुमिच्छसि दु:खिता: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

indra-jyeṣṭhaiḥ sva-tanayair hatānāṁ yudhi vidviṣām striyo rudantīr āsādya draṣṭum icchasi duḥkhitāḥ

Translation

You wish to see, with a sorrowful heart, the wives of the asuras lamenting their husbands’ deaths when those enemies of your sons are slain in battle by the devas, led by Indra.

Synonyms

• indra-jyeṣṭhaiḥ: by (sons) headed by Indra
• indra-jyeṣṭhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: indra-jyeṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: indra (Indra) + jyeṣṭha (eldest/chief)

• sva-tanaiḥ: by (your) own sons
• sva-tanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva-tanaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: sva (own) + tanaya (son)

• hatānām: of the slain
• hatānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hata (प्रातिपदिक; from han (धातु)+क्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• yudhi: in battle
• yudhi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yudh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• vidviṣām: of enemies
• vidviṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidviṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• striyaḥ: women
• striyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• rudantīḥ: weeping
• rudantīḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rud (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/कृदन्त), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन)

• āsādya: having approached
• āsādya: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-sad (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), indeclinable (अव्यय)

• draṣṭum: to see
• draṣṭum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), indeclinable verbal (अव्ययकृदन्त)

• icchasi: you wish
• icchasi: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• duḥkhitāḥ: grief-stricken
• duḥkhitāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkhita (प्रातिपदिक; from duḥkha + ita)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with striyaḥ

Characters & Entities

• Aditi
• Indra
• Kashyapa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about compassion toward enemies’ families?

This verse highlights sensitivity to suffering even among opponents: Aditi is asked if she wants to see the widows of the slain enemies, emphasizing compassion beyond victory.

Why did Kashyapa Muni say this to Aditi in Canto 8 Chapter 17?

Kashyapa addresses Aditi’s emotional state after conflict involving her sons led by Indra, probing her intention and guiding her toward dharmic, composed understanding before further action.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Even when you “win” a conflict, remember others may be hurt—respond with restraint, empathy, and responsibility rather than pride or vengeance.