Shloka 35

Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift

Devanagari script

निष्ठां ते नरके मन्ये ह्यप्रदातु: प्रतिश्रुतम् । प्रतिश्रुतस्य योऽनीश: प्रतिपादयितुं भवान् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

niṣṭhāṁ te narake manye hy apradātuḥ pratiśrutam pratiśrutasya yo ’nīśaḥ pratipādayituṁ bhavān

Translation

Surely you will be unable to fulfill your promise; and I think that, being unable to give what you pledged, your lasting destination will be hell.

Synonyms

• niṣṭhām: final state; destiny
• niṣṭhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niṣṭhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• te: your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); enclitic pronoun

• narake: in hell
• narake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• manye: I think
• manye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (मन् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/Present), Ātmanepada, 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• hi: indeed; for
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) giving emphasis/causal nuance

• apradātuḥ: of the non-giver
• apradātuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a- (नञ्) + pradātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन); agent noun (कर्तृ-प्रातिपदिक) with negation; ‘of one who does not give’

• pratiśrutam: the promised (thing)
• pratiśrutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prati-√śru (श्रु धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle used substantively; Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• pratiśrutasya: of the promised (thing)
• pratiśrutasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prati-√śru (श्रु धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle used substantively; Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); relative pronoun

• anīśaḥ: incapable; not able
• anīśaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); negative adjective ‘unable/not capable’

• pratipādayitum: to fulfill; to deliver
• pratipādayitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prati-√pad (पद् धातु) + ṇic (णिच्) + tumun (तुमुन्)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुनन्त), indeclinable; causative sense ‘to cause to be fulfilled/established’

• bhavān: you (sir)
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); honorific 2nd-person pronoun

Characters & Entities

• Shukracharya
• Bali Maharaja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about keeping one's promise (satya) even in difficulty?

This verse highlights that failing to fulfill a pledged promise is spiritually degrading; the Bhagavatam repeatedly upholds truthfulness and integrity as essential to dharma, especially when a vow has been given.

Why did Shukracharya say this to Bali Maharaja in Vamana Leela?

Shukracharya tried to dissuade Bali from honoring his promise to Vamana, arguing that if Bali could not practically deliver the promised gift, his vow would lead to ruin—thus pressing Bali to withdraw his word.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Make commitments thoughtfully, and once you give your word, strive to fulfill it with integrity; if circumstances change, respond transparently and responsibly rather than treating promises casually.