Shloka 23

द्विविद-वधः, यज्ञ-विध्वंस-निवारणम्, बलदेव-पराक्रम-समाहारः

Devanagari script

एवंविधान्य् अनेकानि बलदेवस्य धीमतः कर्माण्य् अपरिमेयानि शेषस्य धरणीभृतः

Transliteration

evaṃvidhāny anekāni baladevasya dhīmataḥ karmāṇy aparimeyāni śeṣasya dharaṇībhṛtaḥ

Translation

Thus, in countless ways, the wise Baladeva performed many deeds—deeds beyond measure—for he is Śeṣa himself, the mighty bearer who upholds the earth.

Word by Word

• एवं-विधानि: of such kinds
• एवं-विधानि: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय) + विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन — 'of such a kind'

• अनेकानि: many
• अनेकानि: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन — agreeing with कर्माणि

• बलदेवस्य: of Baladeva
• बलदेवस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• धीमतः: of the wise
• धीमतः: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन — qualifying बलदेवस्य

• कर्माणि: deeds
• कर्माणि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• अपरिमेयानि: immeasurable
• अपरिमेयानि: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (नञ्) + परिमेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन — qualifying कर्माणि; नञ्-समास (negation)

• शेषस्य: of Shesha
• शेषस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• धरणी-भृतः: of the bearer of the earth
• धरणी-भृतः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरणी (प्रातिपदिक) + भृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष समास (धरण्याः भर्ता); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन — apposition to शेषस्य

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: revealing

Cosmological Context

Cosmic Hierarchy: Lokas

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The seemingly human deeds of Baladeva are ‘aparimeya’ because he is Śeṣa—divine support underlying the world.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman

Application: Contemplate the divine presence behind sustaining forces in life (support, stability, order) and cultivate gratitude-driven devotion.

Vishishtadvaita: Personal divinity manifests with cosmic function: Baladeva as Śeṣa shows the Lord’s retinue as real, purposeful modes within the one divine order.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Vyuha Form: Sankarshana

Characters & Entities

• Baladeva (Balarama)
• Shesha (Ananta)
• Earth (Dharani)

FAQs

What is the significance of identifying Baladeva with Śeṣa in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse states Baladeva’s acts are “immeasurable” because he is Śeṣa, the cosmic supporter; it elevates Baladeva from heroic figure to a manifestation of Vishnu’s eternal divine principle of sustenance.

How does Sage Parāśara explain Baladeva’s greatness in this context?

Parāśara attributes Baladeva’s many exploits to his true identity as Śeṣa, implying that worldly feats reflect a deeper cosmic role within Vishnu’s ordered universe.

What is the theological importance of Vishnu in this context?

By linking Baladeva to Śeṣa—Vishnu’s eternal serpent and support of the cosmos—the text emphasizes Vishnu’s supreme sovereignty expressed through divine associates who maintain universal stability.