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Shloka 4

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

तं विलोक्य बृहत्कायं भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमम् । तप्तताम्रशिखाश्मश्रुं दंष्ट्रोग्रभ्रुकुटीमुखम् ॥ ३ ॥ सस्मार मूषलं राम: परसैन्यविदारणम् । हलं च दैत्यदमनं ते तूर्णमुपतस्थतु: ॥ ४ ॥

taṁ vilokya bṛhat-kāyaṁ bhinnāñjana-cayopamam tapta-tāmra-śikhā-śmaśruṁ daṁṣṭrogra-bhru-kuṭī-mukham

The immense demon resembled a mass of black carbon. His topknot and beard were like molten copper, and his face had horrible fangs and furrowed eyebrows. Upon seeing him, Lord Balarāma thought of His club, which tears to pieces His enemies’ armies, and His plow weapon, which punishes the demons. Thus summoned, His two weapons appeared before Him at once.

tamhim
tam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana
ākṛṣyahaving dragged/pulled
ākṛṣya:
Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootā-√kṛṣ (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
FormAbsolutive (gerund), avyaya; prior action
halāgreṇawith the plough’s tip
halāgreṇa:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Roothala (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNapuṁsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental), Ekavacana; (tatpuruṣa: 'with the tip of the plough')
balvalamBalvala
balvalam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootbalvala (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana
gagana-carammoving in the sky; airborne
gagana-caram:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootgagana (प्रातिपदिक) + cara (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies balvalam; (tatpuruṣa: 'moving in the sky')
mūṣalenawith the club
mūṣalena:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootmūṣala (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNapuṁsakaliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana
ahanatstruck
ahanat:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Roothan (धातु)
FormLaṅ-lakāra (Imperfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada
kruddhaḥenraged
kruddhaḥ:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Root√krudh (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
FormKta-participle used adjectivally, Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; qualifies balaḥ
mūrdhnion the head
mūrdhni:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootmūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Saptamī (Locative), Ekavacana
brahma-druhambrahmin-hating; offender against Brahman
brahma-druham:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootbrahman (प्रातिपदिक) + druh (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifies balvalam; (upapada-tatpuruṣa: 'one who harms brāhmaṇas/Brahman')
balaḥBala (Balarāma)
balaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootbala (प्रातिपदिक)
FormPuṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana
B
Balarāma (Rāma)

FAQs

In this verse, Śukadeva describes that when danger appeared, Balarāma simply remembered His divine club (mūsala) and plow (hala), and they immediately manifested—showing His supreme, effortless power and readiness to protect dharma.

Because the figure before Him was fearsome and hostile in appearance; as the divine protector, Balarāma prepared to destroy the enemy’s strength by summoning His characteristic weapons that subdue demons and shatter opposing armies.

When confronted with fear or opposition, one can remember the Lord with faith and steadiness—taking refuge in divine protection rather than panic—while doing one’s duty with courage and clarity.