Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 51

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

दुर्योधन: पारिबर्हं कुञ्जरान् षष्टिहायनान् । ददौ च द्वादशशतान्ययुतानि तुरङ्गमान् ॥ ५० ॥ रथानां षट्‍सहस्राणि रौक्‍माणां सूर्यवर्चसाम् । दासीनां निष्ककण्ठीनां सहस्रं दुहितृवत्सल: ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

duryodhanaḥ pāribarhaṁ kuñjarān ṣaṣṭi-hāyanān dadau ca dvādaśa-śatāny ayutāni turaṅgamān

Translation

Duryodhana, out of deep affection for his daughter, bestowed as dowry 1,200 sixty-year-old elephants, 120,000 horses, 6,000 golden chariots shining like the sun, and 1,000 maidservants adorned with jeweled ornaments upon their necks.

Synonyms

• rathānām: of chariots
• rathānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• ṣaṭ-sahasrāṇi: six thousand
• ṣaṭ-sahasrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṭ (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Plural; dvigu: ‘six thousands’ (=6000)

• raukmāṇām: golden
• raukmāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: raukma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; qualifies rathānām (‘golden’)

• sūrya-varcasām: sun-bright
• sūrya-varcasām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + varcas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural; tatpuruṣa: ‘having the splendor of the sun’ qualifying rathānām/raukmāṇām

• dāsīnām: of maidservants
• dāsīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāsī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• niṣka-kaṇṭhīnām: wearing gold neck-ornaments
• niṣka-kaṇṭhīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣka (प्रातिपदिक) + kaṇṭhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural; tatpuruṣa: ‘having niṣka (gold ornaments) on the neck’ qualifying dāsīnām

• sahasram: a thousand
• sahasram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular

• duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ: affectionate to his daughter
• duhitṛ-vatsalaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duhitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘affectionate toward (his) daughter’ (epithet of Duryodhana)

Characters & Entities

• Duryodhana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Duryodhana’s gifts and royal opulence?

This verse notes that Duryodhana, out of affection for his daughter, gave lavish gifts—thousands of golden chariots and a thousand ornamented maidservants—illustrating royal opulence described within the Bhagavatam’s narrative.

Why is Duryodhana described as ‘duhitṛ-vatsala’ (affectionate to his daughter) here?

The verse highlights the motive behind the gifts: Duryodhana’s attachment and affection toward his daughter, expressed through generous dowry-like offerings.

What is a practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

External grandeur and gift-giving can reflect affection, but spiritual wisdom encourages valuing inner character and devotion over mere display of wealth.