Shloka 33

Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena

Devanagari script

प्रियं राज्ञ: प्रकुर्वत्य: श्रेयो विन्दन्ति वै प्रजा: । मनसा कर्मणा वाचा विपरीतमतोऽन्यथा ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

priyaṁ rājñaḥ prakurvatyaḥ śreyo vindanti vai prajāḥ manasā karmaṇā vācā viparītam ato ’nyathā

Translation

Subjects who strive to please the King with mind, deed, and speech surely attain good fortune; otherwise they suffer the opposite result.

Synonyms

• priyam: what is pleasing
• priyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; ‘what is pleasing’

• rājñaḥ: of the king
• rājñaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• prakurvatyaḥ: (those) doing
• prakurvatyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kṛ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘doing/performing’

• śreyaḥ: the good, welfare
• śreyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vindanti: find/attain
• vindanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vid (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक अव्यय (particle of emphasis/indeed)

• prajāḥ: subjects, people
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• manasā: by mind
• manasā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• karmaṇā: by deed
• karmaṇā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• vācā: by speech
• vācā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• viparītam: the opposite
• viparītam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viparīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘the opposite’

• ataḥ: therefore
• ataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतुवाचक/तस्मात्-अर्थे अव्यय (therefore/from that)

• anyathā: otherwise
• anyathā: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb: otherwise)

Characters & Entities

• Kaṁsa
• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about citizens and obedience to the king?

This verse states that when citizens act in ways pleasing to the king, they gain welfare; but opposition in thought, word, or deed brings adverse results.

Why is this principle mentioned in Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 43?

In the Kaṁsa episode, the text highlights how a ruler’s stance affects public behavior and outcomes, framing the social dynamics around Kaṁsa’s kingship and the unfolding of Kṛṣṇa’s līlā.

Practical application of acting with mind, speech, and action aligned in modern life?

Align your intentions, words, and deeds with rightful authority and ethical order—supporting what is beneficial and avoiding inner or outer opposition that creates conflict and harmful consequences.