Shloka 12

Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa

Devanagari script

तस्य चापतत: कृष्णश्चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना । शिरो जहार राजेन्द्र सकिरीटं सकुण्डलम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

tasya cāpatataḥ kṛṣṇaś cakreṇa kṣura-neminā śiro jahāra rājendra sa-kirīṭaṁ sa-kuṇḍalam

Translation

O best of kings, as he fell upon Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa with His razor-edged Sudarśana disc severed his head, together with helmet and earrings.

Synonyms

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/Ṣaṣṭhī)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• अपततः: of the charging one
• अपततः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव+पत् (धातु) → अपतत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘of (him) who was rushing/falling upon’

• कृष्णः: Kṛṣṇa
• कृष्णः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चक्रेण: with the discus
• चक्रेण: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• क्षुर: razor
• क्षुर: सम्बन्ध (compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• नेमिना: having a razor-like rim
• नेमिना: करण (Instrument; qualifier of cakreṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नेमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्षुर-नेमि (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘razor-edged rim’)

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• जहार: severed/took away
• जहार: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• राजेन्द्र: O king of kings
• राजेन्द्र: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; राजन् + इन्द्र (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘king of kings’)

• स: with
• स: सम्बन्ध (compound prefix)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय-पूर्वपद)
• Form: सह-अर्थक अव्यय (prefix ‘with’)—समासपूर्वपदत्वेन

• किरीटम्: crown
• किरीटम्: कर्म (Object; apposition to śiraḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किरीट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘crown’

• स: with
• स: सम्बन्ध (compound prefix)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय-पूर्वपद)
• Form: सह-अर्थक अव्यय (prefix ‘with’)—समासपूर्वपदत्वेन

• कुण्डलम्: earrings
• कुण्डलम्: कर्म (Object; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘earring’ (collective/paired sense possible)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Sudarshana Chakra?

This verse portrays the Sudarśana cakra as Kṛṣṇa’s razor-edged divine weapon that instantly destroys aggressive adharma and establishes dharma.

Why did Krishna cut off the attacker’s head in Canto 10 Chapter 78?

In the narrative, the opponent charges to kill; Kṛṣṇa responds decisively, ending the threat and demonstrating the Lord’s role as protector of righteousness.

Practical application of Krishna’s protection in modern life?

The verse reminds devotees to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa with faith—trusting that divine protection and justice prevail when one stands with dharma.