Shloka 33

Devanagari script

एवं करुणभाषिण्या विलपन्त्या अनाथवत् । व्याघ्र: पशुमिवाखादत् सौदास: शापमोहित: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ karuṇa-bhāṣiṇyā vilapantyā anāthavat vyāghraḥ paśum ivākhādat saudāsaḥ śāpa-mohitaḥ

Translation

Being condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, King Saudāsa devoured the brāhmaṇa, exactly as a tiger eats its prey. Even though the brāhmaṇa’s wife spoke so pitiably, Saudāsa was unmoved by her lamentation.

Synonyms

• evam: thus
• evam: Prakāra (प्रकार/Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• karuṇa-bhāṣiṇyā: by the one speaking pitifully
• karuṇa-bhāṣiṇyā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; accompanying circumstance)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāṣiṇī (प्रातिपदिक; from √bhāṣ भाषणे)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); ‘by the compassionately-speaking (woman)’

• vilapantyā: while lamenting
• vilapantyā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; concomitant action)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vilapantī (कृदन्त; √lap विलापे धातु, present participle with vi-)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकृदन्त/शतृ), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• anāthavat: like a helpless person
• anāthavat: Prakāra (प्रकार/Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anātha (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (तद्धित प्रत्यय)
• Form: Comparative indeclinable (वत्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय), ‘like one without protector’

• vyāghraḥ: the tiger
• vyāghraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• paśum: an animal
• paśum: Karma (कर्म/Object of ākhādat)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• iva: like
• iva: Upamāna-marker (उपमान-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Simile particle (उपमावाचक निपात)

• ākhādat: ate, devoured
• ākhādat: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√khād (खाद् भक्षणे धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (लङ्/Imperfect past), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• saudāsaḥ: Saudāsa
• saudāsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saudāsa (प्रातिपदिक; proper name/epithet)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); in apposition to vyāghraḥ

• śāpa-mohitaḥ: bewildered by a curse
• śāpa-mohitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of saudāsaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + mohita (कृदन्त; √muh मोहने धातु, PPP)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); ‘deluded by a curse’

Purport

This is an example of destiny. King Saudāsa was condemned by the curse of Vasiṣṭha, and therefore even though he was well qualified he could not restrain himself from becoming a tigerlike Rākṣasa, for this was his destiny. Tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham ( Bhāg. 1.5.18 ). As one is put into distress by destiny, destiny can also put one in a happy situation. Destiny is extremely strong, but one can change destiny if one comes to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām ( Brahma-samhitā 5.54).

Characters & Entities

• Saudāsa (Kalmāṣapāda)
• the lamenting woman (unnamed in this verse)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of a curse (śāpa)?

This verse shows that a curse can overwhelm a person’s normal judgment and behavior—Saudāsa becomes “śāpa-mohitaḥ,” deluded by the curse, and commits a horrific act.

Why did King Saudāsa (Kalmāṣapāda) behave like a tiger in Bhagavatam 9.9?

Because he was under the influence of a curse; the Bhagavatam describes him as “śāpa-mohitaḥ,” indicating his consciousness was eclipsed, leading him to act with animal-like ferocity.

What is the practical lesson of Bhagavatam 9.9.33 for modern life?

Guard your character through self-control and spiritual discipline, because association, reactions, and powerful influences can distort judgment—so one should seek protection in dharma and devotion rather than acting on impulse.