Shloka 19

The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance

Devanagari script

दिष्‍ट्या व्यवसितं भूपा भवन्त ऋतभाषिण: । श्रीयैश्वर्यमदोन्नाहं पश्य उन्मादकं नृणाम् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

diṣṭyā vyavasitaṁ bhūpā bhavanta ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ śrīy-aiśvarya-madonnāhaṁ paśya unmādakaṁ nṛṇām

Translation

Fortunately, O kings, you have reached the proper conclusion and spoken the truth. I see that intoxication with opulence and power breeds a lack of self-restraint in men and leads only to madness.

Synonyms

• diṣṭyā: fortunately/by good luck
• diṣṭyā: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: diṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Originally Instrumental, used as Adverb

• vyavasitam: resolved/determined
• vyavasitam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi + ava + so (धातु)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. Past Passive Participle (Kta)

• bhūpāḥ: O kings
• bhūpāḥ: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Plural

• bhavantaḥ: you (honorable)
• bhavantaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ: speakers of truth
• ṛta-bhāṣiṇaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṛta-bhāṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural. Upapada Tatpurusha

• śrī-aiśvarya-mada-unnāham: the swelling pride of wealth and opulence
• śrī-aiśvarya-mada-unnāham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-aiśvarya-mada-unnāha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular. Complex compound.

• paśye: I see/recognize
• paśye: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Uttama Purusha (1st), Singular, Atmanepada. (Sandhi resolved from paśya)

• unmādakam: maddening/intoxicating
• unmādakam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: unmādaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nṛṇām: of men/humans
• nṛṇām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Yudhishthira
• assembled kings (bhūpāḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride caused by wealth and power?

This verse states that prosperity (śrī) and sovereignty (aiśvarya) can intoxicate people, inflating pride and pushing them toward madness—therefore one should remain truthful and steady rather than arrogant.

Why did Krishna say this to the assembled kings at the Rajasuya sacrifice?

In the Rajasuya setting—where royal status and prestige are high—Krishna cautions the rulers that opulence easily breeds arrogance, and He praises those who remain truthful and properly resolved despite such temptations.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life when success increases ego?

Treat success as a responsibility, not an identity: practice truthfulness, remain accountable, and consciously cultivate humility so that achievement does not turn into pride and reckless behavior.