Shloka 21

Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī

Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वैतद् भगवान् रामो विपक्षीयनृपोद्यमम् । कृष्णं चैकं गतं हर्तुं कन्यां कलहशङ्कित: ॥ २० ॥ बलेन महता सार्धं भ्रातृस्‍नेहपरिप्लुत: । त्वरित: कुण्डिनं प्रागाद् गजाश्वरथपत्तिभि: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

śrutvaitad bhagavān rāmo vipakṣīya nṛpodyamam kṛṣṇaṁ caikaṁ gataṁ hartuṁ kanyāṁ kalaha-śaṅkitaḥ

Translation

Hearing of the hostile kings’ preparations, and learning that Kṛṣṇa had gone alone to carry off the bride, Lord Balarāma feared a clash. Overflowing with love for His brother, He hurried to Kuṇḍina with a mighty force of infantry and warriors on elephants, horses, and chariots.

Synonyms

• balena: with an army/force
• balena: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• mahatā: great
• mahatā: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular; qualifies balena

• sārdham: together with
• sārdham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Association)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sārdham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/indeclinable meaning ‘together with’ (सह-अर्थक अव्यय)

• bhrātṛ-sneha-pariplutaḥ: overwhelmed with brotherly affection
• bhrātṛ-sneha-pariplutaḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhrātṛ + sneha + paripluta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः—‘भ्रातृस्नेहेन परिप्लुतः’ (overwhelmed by brotherly affection)

• tvaritaḥ: hastened
• tvaritaḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvar (त्वर्, धातु) → tvarita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle used adjectivally, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘hurried’

• kuṇḍinam: to Kuṇḍina
• kuṇḍinam: Karma (कर्म/Goal as object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṇḍina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; place-name

• prāgāt: went
• prāgāt: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + i (इ, धातु)
• Form: Imperfect/Aorist-like past (लुङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada; ‘went forth’

• gaja-aśva-ratha-pattibhiḥ: with elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry
• gaja-aśva-ratha-pattibhiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja + aśva + ratha + patti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; द्वन्द्वः—‘गजाश्वरथपत्तयः’ (elephants, horses, chariots, infantry)

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma (Rāma)
• Kṛṣṇa
• Rukmiṇī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Balarama’s role in the Rukmini-harana episode?

This verse shows Balarāma as the protective elder brother, alert to the enemy’s preparations and concerned that Kṛṣṇa going alone could trigger a battle.

Why did Balarama become apprehensive when Krishna went alone?

Because the opposing kings were mobilizing, and Kṛṣṇa’s plan to take Rukmiṇī could provoke immediate conflict; Balarāma anticipated a clash and prepared to support Him.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Act with devotion and courage, but also with foresight—responsible protectors anticipate risks and prepare support so that dharmic actions are not derailed by avoidable conflict.