Shloka 5
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
इति कर्ण: शलो भूरिर्यज्ञकेतु: सुयोधन: । साम्बमारेभिरे योद्धुं कुरुवृद्धानुमोदिता: ॥ ५ ॥
iti karṇaḥ śalo bhūrir yajñaketuḥ suyodhanaḥ sāmbam ārebhire yoddhuṁ kuru-vṛddhānumoditāḥ
ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ്, കുരുവംശത്തിലെ മുതിർന്നവരുടെ അനുമതി നേടി കർണൻ, ശലൻ, ഭൂരി, യജ്ഞകേതു, സുയോധനൻ എന്നിവർ സാമ്ബനോട് യുദ്ധിക്കാൻ പുറപ്പെട്ടു।
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the elder of the Kurus mentioned here is Bhīṣma, who gave permission to the younger men as follows: “Since this maiden has now been touched by Sāmba, she cannot take any other husband. He must become her husband. Nonetheless, you should arrest him and tie him up to make a statement about his impropriety and our own prowess. But in no case should he be killed.” The ācārya also adds that Bhīṣma accompanied the five warriors mentioned in this verse.
FAQs
This verse states that Karṇa, Duryodhana and their allies, with the approval of the Kuru elders, initiated combat against Sāmba as the Kurus moved to oppose him in the unfolding conflict.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Even when an action is socially “approved,” it may still be driven by rivalry and anger; a devotee should seek dharmic counsel, restrain hostility, and avoid escalating conflicts.