Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
एते यौनेन सम्बद्धा: सहशय्यासनाशना: । वृष्णयस्तुल्यतां नीता अस्मद्दत्तनृपासना: ॥ २५ ॥
ete yaunena sambaddhāḥ saha-śayyāsanāśanāḥ vṛṣṇayas tulyatāṁ nītā asmad-datta-nṛpāsanāḥ
Porque estos Vṛṣṇis están ligados a nosotros por lazos matrimoniales, les hemos concedido igualdad: comparten con nosotros lecho, asiento y alimento. En verdad, nosotros mismos les hemos dado sus tronos reales.
This verse highlights how political favors—like granting thrones—can create a sense of “equality” or entitlement, showing the Bhagavatam’s caution about pride arising from power and proximity.
He points to close family and marital alliances—intimacy and shared privileges—as reasons some felt socially equal to the Vṛṣṇis, setting the context for tensions born from familiarity and courtly honor.
It warns that closeness to influential people or receiving status from them can inflate ego; one should remain humble and avoid measuring worth by access, privilege, or titles.