Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12

Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture

Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict

Devanagari script

बाणस्य मन्त्री कुम्भाण्डश्चित्रलेखा च तत्सुता । सख्यपृच्छत् सखीमूषां कौतूहलसमन्विता ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

bāṇasya mantrī kumbhāṇḍaś citralekhā ca tat-sutā sakhy apṛcchat sakhīm ūṣāṁ kautūhala-samanvitā

Translation

Bāṇāsura had a minister named Kumbhāṇḍa, whose daughter was Citralekhā. As Ūṣā’s friend, she was filled with curiosity and thus questioned her companion.

Synonyms

• bāṇasya: of Bāṇa
• bāṇasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāṇa (बाण प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• mantrī: minister
• mantrī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantrin (मन्त्रिन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kumbhāṇḍaḥ: Kumbhāṇḍa
• kumbhāṇḍaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumbhāṇḍa (कुम्भाण्ड प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; proper name

• citralekhā: Citralekhā
• citralekhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citralekhā (चित्रलेखा प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; proper name

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चय-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय)

• tat-sutā: his daughter
• tat-sutā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्) + sutā (सुता)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष): 'his daughter'; Feminine, Nominative, Singular; in apposition to citralekhā

• sakhyā: by (her) friend
• sakhyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sakhī (सखी प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; 'by/with (her) friend'

• apṛcchat: asked
• apṛcchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prach (प्रच्छ् धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

• sakhīm: (her) friend
• sakhīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sakhī (सखी प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• ūṣām: Uṣā
• ūṣām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūṣā (ऊषा प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• kautūhala-samanvitā: filled with curiosity
• kautūhala-samanvitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kautūhala (कौतूहल) + samanvita (समन्वित)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष/सह-भाव): 'endowed with curiosity'; Feminine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with citralekhā

Characters & Entities

• Bāṇāsura (Bāṇa)
• Kumbhāṇḍa
• Citraleekhā
• Ūṣā

FAQs

Who are Kumbhāṇḍa and Citraleekhā in the Uṣā–Aniruddha episode of the Srimad Bhagavatam?

In this verse, Kumbhāṇḍa is identified as Bāṇāsura’s minister, and Citraleekhā is his daughter; they are connected to Ūṣā and become involved by inquiring into her situation.

Why did Citraleekhā ask Ūṣā questions in Bhagavatam 10.62.12?

The verse states she was “kautūhala-samanvitā”—filled with curiosity—so she questioned her friend Ūṣā to understand what was happening.

What practical lesson can devotees take from Bhagavatam 10.62.12?

It highlights how close friendship naturally leads to attentive inquiry; in modern life, sincere relationships and honest questions can help one understand another’s inner state and respond appropriately.