Shloka 17

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा युद्धोद्यमं राम: कुरूणां सह पाण्डवै: । तीर्थाभिषेकव्याजेन मध्यस्थ: प्रययौ किल ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

śrutvā yuddhodyamaṁ rāmaḥ kurūṇāṁ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ tīrthābhiṣeka-vyājena madhya-sthaḥ prayayau kila

Translation

Hearing that the Kurus were preparing for war with the Pāṇḍavas, Lord Balarāma remained neutral and departed on the pretext of bathing at holy tīrthas.

Synonyms

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Hetu (हेतु/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: श्रु (धातु) → श्रुत्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund); अव्ययीभाव-स्वरूप (indeclinable verbal)

• युद्ध-उद्यमम्: the preparation for war
• युद्ध-उद्यमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (yuddha-udyama = preparation for battle)

• रामः: Rama (Balarama)
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कुरूणाम्: of the Kurus
• कुरूणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक उपपद (with)

• पाण्डवैः: with the Pandavas
• पाण्डवैः: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• तीर्थ-अभिषेक-व्याजेन: by the pretext of a holy bath
• तीर्थ-अभिषेक-व्याजेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिषेक (प्रातिपदिक) + व्याज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-श्रृंखला (by the pretext of bathing/ablution at a holy place)

• मध्य-स्थः: remaining neutral/in between
• मध्य-स्थः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (madhya-stha = standing in the middle/neutral)

• प्रययौ: went forth
• प्रययौ: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• किल: indeed/it is said
• किल: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किल (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic/indeed, it is said)

Purport

Both Duryodhana and Yudhiṣṭhira were dear to Lord Balarāma, and so to avoid an awkward situation He departed. Furthermore, after killing the demon Vidūratha, Lord Kṛṣṇa put aside His weapons, but Lord Balarāma still had to kill Romaharṣaṇa and Balvala to finish relieving the earth of her burden of demons.

Characters & Entities

• Balarama (Rama)
• Kurus
• Pandavas

FAQs

Why did Balarama go on pilgrimage instead of joining the battle in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.78?

This verse states that Balarāma chose to remain neutral and departed on the pretext of bathing at holy places, avoiding taking sides in the impending conflict.

What does the Bhagavatam mean by 'tīrthābhiṣeka-vyāja' (pretext of holy bathing)?

It indicates that Balarāma outwardly framed his departure as a pilgrimage for sacred baths, while the narrative purpose was his decision to stay impartial in the dispute.

How can this verse be applied in modern life when family or community conflicts arise?

It suggests practicing dharmic restraint—avoiding partisan escalation when neutrality is appropriate—and turning one’s mind toward purification and higher principles (like spiritual practice) rather than fueling quarrel.