Shloka 39

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

अहो ऐश्वर्यमत्तानां मत्तानामिव मानिनाम् । असम्बद्धा गिरो रुक्षा: क: सहेतानुशासिता ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

aho aiśvarya-mattānāṁ mattānām iva māninām asambaddhā giṛo rukṣāḥ kaḥ sahetānuśāsītā

Translation

見よ。思い上がったクル族は、取るに足らぬ権勢に酔い、ただの酔漢のようだ。命ずる力を持つ真の統治者で、彼らの支離滅裂で荒い言葉を耐える者がいようか。

Synonyms

• aho: alas!/oh!
• aho: Bhāva (भाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aho (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विस्मयादि-निपात (exclamatory particle)

• aiśvarya-mattānām: of those intoxicated by power
• aiśvarya-mattānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aiśvarya (प्रातिपदिक) + matta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘ऐश्वर्येण मत्त’/intoxicated by power), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• mattānām: of the intoxicated
• mattānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying)

• iva: like/as
• iva: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान-निपात (comparative particle)

• māninām: of the proud (self-conceited)
• māninām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mānin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• asambaddhāḥ: incoherent/unconnected
• asambaddhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (उपसर्ग/नञ्) + sambaddha (प्रातिपदिक; from √bandh)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying) गिरः

• giraḥ: words/speech
• giraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gir (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• rukṣāḥ: harsh/rough
• rukṣāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rukṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying) गिरः

• kaḥ: who
• kaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (interrogative pronoun), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• sahetā: would tolerate/endure
• sahetā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sah (धातु) + tṛ (तृच्/तृन् agent noun)
• Form: कृदन्त (तृन्/agent), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• anuśāsitā: (and) would admonish/discipline
• anuśāsitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anu-√śās (धातु) + tṛ (तृच्/तृन् agent noun)
• Form: कृदन्त (तृन्/agent), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; सहेताऽनुशासिता = द्वन्द्ववत् समुच्चयार्थे (two agent-nouns in apposition)

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride caused by wealth and power?

This verse states that opulence can intoxicate a person, making their speech harsh and irrational, and such pride makes them difficult to tolerate or correct.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī criticize the speech of the proud in this verse?

He highlights a common spiritual danger in worldly life—false prestige—showing that arrogance disrupts discernment and leads to cruel, disconnected speech.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Practice humility and mindful speech: avoid speaking from ego, soften harsh words, and remain teachable even when successful or influential.