Shloka 13

Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense

Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha

Devanagari script

प्रद्युम्नो भगवान् वीक्ष्य बाध्यमाना निजा: प्रजा: । मा भैष्टेत्यभ्यधाद् वीरो रथारूढो महायशा: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

pradyumno bhagavān vīkṣya bādhyamānā nijāḥ prajāḥ ma bhaiṣṭety abhyadhād vīro rathārūḍho mahā-yaśāḥ

Translation

Seeing His own people harassed, the glorious hero Lord Pradyumna mounted His chariot and declared, “Do not fear.”

Synonyms

• pradyumnaḥ: Pradyumna
• pradyumnaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradyumna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagavān: the Lord, the blessed one
• bhagavān: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• vīkṣya: having seen
• vīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vīkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), ‘having seen’

• bādhyamānāḥ: being oppressed/harassed
• bādhyamānāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bādh (धातu)
• Form: Present passive participle (मान-प्रत्यय; कर्मणि), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with प्रजाः

• nijāḥ: his own
• nijāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with प्रजाः

• prajāḥ: subjects/people
• prajāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• mā: do not
• mā: Niṣedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mā (अव्यय)
• Form: Prohibitive particle (निषेधार्थक ‘मा’) used with imperative

• bhaiṣṭa: fear
• bhaiṣṭa: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhī (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyopasaṃhāra (वाक्योपसंहार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• abhyadhāt: said, addressed
• abhyadhāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• vīraḥ: the hero
• vīraḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to Pradyumna

• rathārūḍhaḥ: mounted on a chariot
• rathārūḍhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ratha-ārūḍha (प्रातिपदिक; √ruh in past participle)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); past participle (क्त) ‘ārūḍha’ with तत्पुरुष: rathasya ārūḍhaḥ

• mahā-yaśāḥ: of great fame
• mahā-yaśāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā-yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: ‘mahac ca tat yaśaḥ’

Characters & Entities

• Pradyumna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord removing fear from devotees?

This verse shows Pradyumna, addressed as Bhagavān, actively reassuring and protecting the frightened citizens—illustrating the Lord’s role as fear-dispeller and shelter for those under threat.

Why did Pradyumna say “Do not be afraid” to the people of Dvārakā?

Because he saw his own subjects being attacked and distressed; as a divine protector and heroic warrior, he mounted his chariot and encouraged them while moving to defend the city.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

When others are anxious or harmed, step forward with courage, offer reassurance, and take responsible action—combining compassion with strength, as Pradyumna does here.