Shloka 22

Devanagari script

बलेन सचिवैर्बुद्ध्या दुर्गैर्मन्त्रौषधादिभि: । सामादिभिरुपायैश्च कालं नात्येति वै जन: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

balena sacivair buddhyā durgair mantrauṣadhādibhiḥ sāmādibhir upāyaiś ca kālaṁ nātyeti vai janaḥ

Translation

No one can surpass the Lord’s manifestation as time—by material strength, ministerial counsel, intelligence, diplomacy, fortresses, mystic mantras, medicines, herbs, or any other means.

Synonyms

• बलेन: by strength
• बलेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सचिवैः: by ministers/advisers
• सचिवैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सचिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• बुद्ध्या: by intelligence
• बुद्ध्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• दुर्गैः: by forts/strongholds
• दुर्गैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• मन्त्र-औषध-आदिभिः: by mantras, medicines, and the like
• मन्त्र-औषध-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + औषध (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; ‘मन्त्रौषधादि’ इति समाहारः (etc. such as mantras and medicines)

• साम-आदिभिः: by means such as conciliation (etc.)
• साम-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; ‘सामादि’ = साम-दाम-भेद-दण्डादयः (political means beginning with conciliation)

• उपायैः: by strategies
• उपायैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपाय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कालम्: time
• कालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• अत्येति: surpasses/overcomes
• अत्येति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अति√इ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (assertive particle)

• जनः: a person/people
• जनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about conquering Time (Kāla)?

This verse states that even with strength, intelligence, ministers, fortresses, mantras, medicines, and diplomacy, one cannot surpass Kāla—the irresistible force of Time.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize political and material strategies here?

He highlights that all worldly protections—power, policy, and occult or medical aids—remain limited, teaching the listener that real security lies beyond material arrangements.

What is the practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Use resources wisely, but remember they cannot stop aging, loss, or death; cultivate devotion, humility, and spiritual priorities rather than relying solely on control and planning.