Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

तथा तद्राष्ट्रपालोऽङ्ग बहुलाश्व इति श्रुत: । मैथिलो निरहम्मान उभावप्यच्युतप्रियौ ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

tathā tad-rāṣṭra-pālo ’ṅga bahulāśva iti śrutaḥ maithilo niraham-māna ubhāv apy acyuta-priyau

Translation

O Parīkṣit, likewise the ruler of that kingdom, Bahulāśva of the Mithilā line, was renowned as free from false ego. Both devotees were exceedingly dear to Lord Acyuta.

Synonyms

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: likewise/so)

• तत्-राष्ट्र-पालः: the ruler/protector of that kingdom
• तत्-राष्ट्र-पालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + राष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (तत्पुरुषः)

• अङ्ग: O dear one
• अङ्ग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अङ्ग (अव्यय/सम्बोधन-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन-निपातः (vocative particle)

• बहुलाश्वः: Bahulāśva
• बहुलाश्वः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहुल (प्रातिपदिक) + अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (one who has many horses)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-निपातः (quotative particle)

• श्रुतः: known/called
• श्रुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; predicate adjective (known as)

• मैथिलः: a Mithilā man
• मैथिलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; जनपद-निवासी (a man of Mithilā)

• निरहं-मानः: free from ego/pride
• निरहं-मानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निः (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + अहं (प्रातिपदिक) + मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (तत्पुरुषः) विशेषणम् (मैथिलः/बहुलाश्वः)

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम्

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-निपातः (also/even)

• अच्युत-प्रियौ: dear to Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa)
• अच्युत-प्रियौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम्; समासः (तत्पुरुषः) विशेषणम् (उभौ)

Characters & Entities

• Bahulāśva
• Acyuta (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Janaka

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about humility as a devotee’s quality?

This verse highlights that being nirahammāna—free from false ego—makes one dear to Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa), showing humility as a key devotional virtue.

Who is Bahulāśva in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 86?

Bahulāśva is described as the ruler of Mithilā, renowned by name, and counted among those who were especially dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

How can I apply ‘nirahammāna’ (freedom from ego) in modern life?

Practice offering credit to others, remembering God as the ultimate doer, and serving without craving recognition—cultivating the ego-free mood praised here.