Shloka 33

Balarāma Slays Balvala and Visits Sacred Tīrthas; He Attempts to Stop Bhīma–Duryodhana

Devanagari script

ईद‍ृग्विधान्यसङ्ख्यानि बलस्य बलशालिन: । अनन्तस्याप्रमेयस्य मायामर्त्यस्य सन्ति हि ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

īdṛg-vidhāny asaṅkhyāni balasya bala-śālinaḥ anantasyāprameyasya māyā-martyasya santi hi

Translation

Countless pastimes like these were performed by mighty Balarāma—the unlimited, immeasurable Supreme Lord—who, by His Yoga-māyā, appears as though a human being.

Synonyms

• ईदृक्: such
• ईदृक्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश्/ईदृक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Indeclinable-like adjective (अव्ययवत्), used in compound; meaning 'such'

• विधानि: kinds/acts
• विधानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• असङ्ख्यानि: countless
• असङ्ख्यानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असङ्ख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural; adjective qualifying विधानि

• बलस्य: of Balarāma
• बलस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• बलशालिनः: of the mighty one
• बलशालिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बल + शालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Genitive, Singular; adjective qualifying बलस्य

• अनन्तस्य: of Ananta
• अनन्तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• अप्रमेयस्य: of the immeasurable
• अप्रमेयस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप्रमेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular; adjective qualifying अनन्तस्य

• मायामर्त्यस्य: of the māyā-made mortal (appearance)
• मायामर्त्यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: माया + मर्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya compound; Masculine, Genitive, Singular; 'mortal (appearing) by māyā' qualifying अनन्तस्य

• सन्ति: are
• सन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Plural

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) giving emphasis/assurance

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Ananta (Śeṣa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Balarama being Ananta Shesha?

This verse states that Balarāma is Ananta—limitless and immeasurable—whose countless extraordinary deeds arise from His divine nature, even while He appears in human-like pastimes.

Why does Shukadeva Goswami describe Balarama as ‘maya-martya’ (appearing mortal by divine power)?

Śukadeva emphasizes that Balarāma’s humanlike presence is not ordinary embodiment; by the Lord’s own potency (māyā/yoga-māyā) He manifests mortal-style līlā while remaining transcendent and beyond measure.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

It trains one to see the Divine beyond surface appearances—cultivating humility, faith, and steadiness in bhakti by remembering that the Lord’s actions and identity are unlimited and not confined to material logic.