Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

अरत्नी द्वे अरत्निभ्यां जानुभ्यां चैव जानुनी । शिर: शीर्ष्णोरसोरस्तावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतु: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

aratnī dve aratnibhyāṁ jānubhyāṁ caiva jānunī śiraḥ śīrṣṇorasoras tāv anyonyam abhijaghnatuḥ

Translation

They struck one another—fist against fist, knee against knee, head against head, and chest against chest.

Synonyms

• अरत्नी: (their) forearms/elbows
• अरत्नी: Karma (कर्म/Object; body-part used)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरत्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन (Dual)

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषण

• अरत्निभ्याम्: with (their) forearms
• अरत्निभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरत्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), द्विवचन

• जानुभ्याम्: with (their) knees
• जानुभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय

• जानुनी: (each other’s) knees
• जानुनी: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; अत्र द्वितीया (objects struck)

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अत्र द्वितीया (object struck)

• शीर्ष्णोः: of (their) heads
• शीर्ष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शीर्षन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी, द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (of the two heads)

• उरसोः: of (their) chests
• उरसोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी, द्विवचन; अत्र षष्ठी (of the two chests)

• उरः: chest
• उरः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अत्र द्वितीया (object struck)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन

• अन्योन्यम्: each other
• अन्योन्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Reciprocal object)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: परस्परार्थक-अव्यय (reciprocal adverbial accusative)

• अभिजघ्नतुः: they struck
• अभिजघ्नतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), द्विवचन (Dual), परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग-अभि (upon)

Purport

The word aratni in this verse may indicate the elbow as well as the fist. Thus blows were perhaps also struck with the elbow, a technique seen today in various martial arts.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Kaṁsa

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about the Krishna vs Kamsa fight in Canto 10 Chapter 44?

This verse depicts the intense close-quarters combat—forearm against forearm, knee against knee, head and chest colliding—showing the climactic struggle as Kṛṣṇa confronts Kaṁsa.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 10.44.3 and to whom is it spoken?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this to King Parīkṣit while recounting Kṛṣṇa’s Mathurā līlā and the events leading to Kaṁsa’s death.

What is a practical lesson for devotees from Krishna’s combat with Kamsa?

The verse reminds seekers that evil may appear powerful, yet the Lord’s protection and justice are certain; devotees can cultivate steadiness and faith while facing life’s conflicts.