Shloka 21

Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā

Devanagari script

उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्वनिताशोभिमण्डले । रेमे करेणुयूथेशो माहेन्द्र इव वारण: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

upagīyamāno gandharvair vanitā-śobhi-maṇḍale reme kareṇu-yūtheśo māhendra iva vāraṇaḥ

Translation

As the Gandharvas sang His glories, Lord Balarāma sported within the radiant circle of young women, like Indra’s elephant Airāvata enjoying among she-elephants.

Synonyms

• upagīyamānaḥ: being sung (praised)
• upagīyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upagīyamāna (कृदन्त; upa-√gai गै/गाय्, कर्मणि वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; present passive participle (शानच्) ‘being sung/praised’

• gandharvaiḥ: by the Gandharvas
• gandharvaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• vanitā-śobhi-maṇḍale: in the circle/arena beautified by women
• vanitā-śobhi-maṇḍale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vanitā (प्रातिपदिक) + śobhin (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः: वनिताभिः शोभि (शोभनं) यत् मण्डलम् / वनिताशोभिना मण्डले (determinative)

• reme: he sported
• reme: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ram (रम्)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• kareṇu-yūtha-īśaḥ: the lord of a herd of female elephants
• kareṇu-yūtha-īśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kareṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + yūtha (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समासः: करेणूनां यूथस्य ईशः

• māhendraḥ: like (the elephant) of Indra
• māhendraḥ: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māhendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjective meaning ‘belonging to Mahendra/Indra-like’

• iva: as/like
• iva: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• vāraṇaḥ: an elephant
• vāraṇaḥ: Upameya (उपमेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Gandharvas
• Indra (Mahendra)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Gandharvas singing divine glories?

This verse shows Gandharvas praising the Lord through song while Balarāma enjoys His divine pastime, indicating that celestial music naturally accompanies and glorifies Bhagavān’s līlā.

Why is Balarama compared to Indra’s elephant in this Bhagavatam verse?

The comparison highlights His majestic, effortless supremacy and playful enjoyment—like the powerful leader of elephants, or Indra’s royal elephant, surrounded by splendor.

What is the practical application of this shloka in modern devotional life?

Glorifying the Lord through kīrtana and remembering His līlā cultivates devotion; the verse encourages devotees to place divine praise at the center of life rather than mundane entertainment.