Shloka 20

Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense

Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha

Devanagari script

तदद्भुचतं महत् कर्म प्रद्युम्नस्य महात्मन: । द‍ृष्ट्वा तं पूजयामासु: सर्वे स्वपरसैनिका: ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

tad adbhutaṁ mahat karma pradyumnasya mahātmanaḥ dṛṣṭvā taṁ pūjayām āsuḥ sarve sva-para-sainikāḥ

Translation

Seeing that astonishing and mighty feat performed by the great-souled Pradyumna, all the soldiers on both sides praised and honored him.

Synonyms

• tat: that
• tat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying karma)

• adbhutam: wonderful, marvelous
• adbhutam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adbhuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम्

• mahat: great
• mahat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम्

• karma: deed, act
• karma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (singular)

• pradyumnasya: of Pradyumna
• pradyumnasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradyumna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन (singular)

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled one
• mahātmanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive), एकवचन (singular); कर्मधारयः (mahān ātmā yasya = great-souled) used as epithet of Pradyumna

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), पूर्वकाल (having seen)

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (singular)

• pūjayāmāsuḥ: honored, worshiped
• pūjayāmāsuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pūj (धातु) + causative (णिच्)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural), परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative): pūjayati = honors/worships

• sarve: all
• sarve: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन (plural)

• sva-para-sainikāḥ: both his and the opposing soldiers
• sva-para-sainikāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva + para + sainika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (nominative), बहुवचन (plural); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (sva-sainikāḥ ca para-sainikāḥ) = both own and enemy soldiers

Characters & Entities

• Pradyumna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about receiving honor even from enemies?

This verse shows that truly extraordinary, dharmic valor can inspire respect across both sides—Pradyumna’s mighty deed is honored by his own soldiers and the opposing soldiers alike.

Why were both armies praising Pradyumna in Canto 10 Chapter 76?

Because Pradyumna performed an astonishing and powerful act in the battle, and its greatness was evident to everyone present, regardless of allegiance.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Act with integrity and excellence; when conduct is noble and skillful, it can earn genuine respect even from critics or competitors.