Shloka 8

भाण्डीरवट-क्रीडा: प्रलम्बासुरवधः, मानुष्यलीला, एक-कारण-तत्त्वम्

Devanagari script

ततश् चान्दोलिकाभिश् च नियुद्धैश् च महाबलौ व्यायामं चक्रतुस् तत्र क्षेपणीयैस् तथाश्मभिः

Transliteration

tataś cāndolikābhiś ca niyuddhaiś ca mahābalau vyāyāmaṃ cakratus tatra kṣepaṇīyais tathāśmabhiḥ

Translation

Then those two mighty ones exercised there—now with swinging bouts, now with close hand-to-hand combat, and also by hurling missiles and casting stones.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Kāla (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (ablatival adverb: 'thereupon/then')

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आन्दोलिकाभिः: with swings (swinging games)
• आन्दोलिकाभिः: Karana (Instrument/means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आन्दोलिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• नियुद्धैः: with wrestling/duels
• नियुद्धैः: Karana (Instrument/means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• महाबलौ: the two mighty ones
• महाबलौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महद् बलं यस्य)

• व्यायामम्: exercise, physical training
• व्यायामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यायाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• चक्रतुः: they did, performed
• चक्रतुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, द्विवचन; परस्मैपद

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• क्षेपणीयैः: with throwable (objects)
• क्षेपणीयैः: Karana (Instrument/means/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षेपणीय (कृदन्त; √क्षिप् + अनीयर्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; अनीयर्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive) = fit to be thrown

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (manner adverb: 'thus/also')

• अश्मभिः: with stones
• अश्मभिः: Karana (Instrument/means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Kṛṣṇa–Balarāma’s strength and martial exercises as part of their līlā

Teaching: Historical

Quality: vivid, kinetic

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: Kṛṣṇa (with Balarāma) descends to protect the world and prepares, through humanlike martial play, for the subduing of hostile forces threatening Vraja and dharma.

Leela: Bala

Dharma Restored: Kṣātra-dharma readiness—strength disciplined toward protection rather than aggression.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Strength (bala) is to be trained and expressed as disciplined prowess, aligned with protection and right conduct.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Cultivate body and mind through steady practice (vyāyāma), but tether power to restraint and service—protecting others rather than dominating them.

Vishishtadvaita: Embodied disciplines are not opposed to spirituality; in a Viśiṣṭādvaita frame, the body is a mode (śarīra) for serving the indwelling Lord through righteous action.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Krishna

Bhakti Type: Sakhya

Characters & Entities

• Princes/warriors (two mighty ones)

FAQs

What is the significance of martial training in the Vishnu Purana’s dynastic narratives?

This verse highlights disciplined warrior practice—regulated combat and controlled displays of strength—as part of rightful kingship and social order (dharma) in the royal lineages.

How does Sage Parāśara present the ideal of Kshatriya conduct here?

By portraying training as structured (niyuddha) and skill-based—wrestling, drills, and throwing practice—Parāśara frames valor as disciplined preparation rather than mere aggression.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even in a verse focused on princes, the Purana’s broader frame is that orderly sovereignty and dharmic rule ultimately rest on Vishnu’s cosmic governance, with kingship functioning as an instrument of that universal order.