Shloka 12

The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā

Devanagari script

किं न पश्यत रामस्य मुखमाताम्रलोचनम् । मुष्टिकं प्रति सामर्षं हाससंरम्भशोभितम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

kiṁ na paśyata rāmasya mukham ātāmra-locanam muṣṭikaṁ prati sāmarṣaṁ hāsa-saṁrambha-śobhitam

Translation

Do you not see Lord Balarāma’s face? His eyes are copper-red with anger toward Muṣṭika, and His beauty is heightened by His laughter and His full absorption in the fight.

Synonyms

• किम्: why/what
• किम्: Prashna (प्रश्न/Interrogative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (interrogative particle), here ‘why/what’

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध/Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• पश्यत: see (you all)
• पश्यत: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• रामस्य: of Rama (Balarama)
• रामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• मुखम्: face
• मुखम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आताम्रलोचनम्: with reddish eyes
• आताम्रलोचनम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-ताम्र-लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (आताम्राणि लोचनानि यस्य/यत्) used as adjective to मुखम्

• मुष्टिकम्: (towards) Muṣṭika
• मुष्टिकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of prati)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रति: towards/against
• प्रति: Sampradana/Direction (सम्प्रदान/दिशा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्गसदृश-अव्यय (preposition), ‘towards/against’

• सामर्षम्: angry
• सामर्षम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-अमर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘with anger/indignation’ qualifying मुखम्

• हाससंरम्भशोभितम्: adorned with laughter and ardor
• हाससंरम्भशोभितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हास-संरम्भ-शोभित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (हाससंरम्भेण शोभितम् = adorned by laughter and vehemence); ‘शोभित’ = शुभ्/शोभ् (धातु) क्त

Characters & Entities

• Balarama
• Mustika

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Balarama’s mood in the wrestling arena?

This verse describes Balarama’s intense, righteous combat-mood—his copper-red eyes and fierce determination—directed at the wrestler Muṣṭika, showing divine strength engaged to oppose adharma.

Why is Balarama described with copper-red eyes in Bhagavatam 10.44?

The copper-red eyes indicate heightened intensity and controlled divine anger as Balarama confronts a violent opponent, emphasizing the seriousness of the dharmic confrontation in Kaṁsa’s arena.

Practical application: what can we learn from Balarama’s expression and stance here?

The verse teaches steadiness and courage: when facing injustice, one can act firmly and decisively—without losing inner purpose—just as Balarama confronts wrongdoing with focused strength.