Shloka 29

Devanagari script

उपयेमे वीर्यपणां वैदर्भीं मलयध्वज: । युधि निर्जित्य राजन्यान् पाण्ड्य: परपुरञ्जय: ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

upayeme vīrya-paṇāṁ vaidarbhīṁ malayadhvajaḥ yudhi nirjitya rājanyān pāṇḍyaḥ para-purañjayaḥ

Translation

It was ordained that Vaidarbhī, the daughter of the King of Vidarbha, would wed a man of great prowess. Malayadhvaja, the Pāṇḍya prince famed as a conqueror of enemy cities, defeated other rulers in battle and then married her.

Synonyms

• उपयेमे: married
• उपयेमे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), आत्मनेपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; ‘उपयम्’ = विवाहं कृतवान्

• वीर्य-पणाम्: whose stake was valor (won by prowess)
• वीर्य-पणाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (वीर्यं पणो यस्याः/यत्र) — वैदर्भीम् इति विशेषणम्

• वैदर्भीम्: the princess of Vidarbha
• वैदर्भीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैदर्भी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• मलयध्वजः: Malayadhvaja (a king)
• मलयध्वजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मलय (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मलयः ध्वजः यस्य/मलय-ध्वज-नाम)

• युधि: in battle
• युधि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युध्/युध् (प्रातिपदिक: युध् ‘battle’)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; अव्ययीभावार्थे स्थानवाचक

• निर्जित्य: having conquered
• निर्जित्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निर् + जि (धातु) → निर्जित्य (कृदन्त, क्त्वान्त-अव्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययम् (gerund); पूर्वकाल-क्रिया

• राजन्यान्: the warrior-kings/nobles
• राजन्यान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• पाण्ड्यः: the Pāṇḍya (king)
• पाण्ड्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्ड्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• पर-पुरञ्जयः: conqueror of others' cities
• पर-पुरञ्जयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरञ्जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (पराणि पुराणि जयति) — उपाधि/बिरुद

Purport

It is customary among kṣatriyas for a princess to be offered under certain conditions. For instance, Draupadī was offered in marriage to one who could pierce a fish with an arrow simply by seeing the reflection of that fish. Kṛṣṇa married one of His queens after conquering seven strong bulls. The Vedic system is for a daughter of a king to be offered under certain conditions. Vaidarbhī, the daughter of Vidarbha, was offered to a great devotee and powerful king. Since King Malayadhvaja was both a powerful king and great devotee, he fulfilled all the requirements. The name Malayadhvaja signifies a great devotee who stands as firm as Malaya Hill and, through his propaganda, makes other devotees similarly as firm. Such a mahā-bhāgavata can prevail over the opinions of all others. A strong devotee makes propaganda against all other spiritual conceptions, namely jñāna, karma and yoga. With his devotional flag unfurled, he always stands fast to conquer other conceptions of transcendental realization. Whenever there is an argument between a devotee and a nondevotee, the pure, strong devotee comes out victorious.

Characters & Entities

• Malayadhvaja
• Vīryapaṇā

FAQs

Who is Malayadhvaja in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28?

Malayadhvaja is a Pāṇḍya king mentioned within the Purañjana allegory; this verse describes his marriage to the Vidarbha princess Vīryapaṇā and his fame as a conqueror.

What does ‘para-purañjayaḥ’ mean in Bhagavatam 4.28.29?

It means “conqueror of others’ cities/fortresses,” indicating Malayadhvaja’s prowess in defeating enemy kingdoms.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern life?

Worldly success—status, marriage alliances, and victory—can be impressive, but in the Bhagavatam’s allegorical setting it also prompts reflection on life’s temporary achievements and the need to seek lasting spiritual purpose.