Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

तत: कूटमनुप्राप्तं राम: प्रहरतां वर: । अवधील्लीलया राजन्सावज्ञं वाममुष्टिना ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ kūṭam anuprāptaṁ rāmaḥ praharatāṁ varaḥ avadhīl līlayā rājan sāvajñaṁ vāma-muṣṭinā

Translation

Next the wrestler Kūṭa came forward. O King, Rāma (Balarāma), the finest of fighters, playfully and with utter nonchalance killed him with His left fist.

Synonyms

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रमवाचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)

• कूटम्: Kūṭa (the wrestler)
• कूटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kūṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (wrestler Kūṭa)

• अनुप्राप्तम्: approaching/come near
• अनुप्राप्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-pra-āp (धातु) + -ta (कृत्)
• Form: PPP/क्त, पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कूटम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• रामः: Rāma (Balarāma)
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रहरताम्: of those who strike/fight
• प्रहरताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pra-hṛ (धातु)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘प्रहरताम्’ = ‘of the strikers/fighters’ (present participle used as noun)

• वरः: the best
• वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘रामः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• अवधीत्: killed/struck down
• अवधीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-dhā (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• लीलया: playfully/as a sport
• लीलया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• राजन्: O King
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• सावज्ञम्: contemptuously
• सावज्ञम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sa-avajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative)

• वाम: left
• वाम: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘मुष्टिना’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• मुष्टिना: with the fist
• मुष्टिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Kūṭa
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Balarama defeating Kuta?

In 10.44.26, Śukadeva describes Balarāma effortlessly striking down the wrestler Kūṭa with His left fist, treating it like a mere pastime and showing His unmatched strength.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī address Parīkṣit Mahārāja as 'rājan' here?

Śukadeva is narrating the arena events directly to King Parīkṣit; the address 'rājan' marks the intimate, instructive storytelling as the Lord’s līlā unfolds.

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

It reminds devotees that worldly power and intimidation cannot stand before divine protection; cultivating faith and humility helps one face fear and opposition without losing devotion.