Shloka 36

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

बुभुजे च श्रियं स्वृद्धां द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम् । कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं मन्यमानो महामना: ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

bubhuje ca śriyaṁ svṛddhāṁ dvija-devopalambhitām kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmānaṁ manyamāno mahāmanāḥ

Translation

Dengan kurnia para brāhmaṇa, Bali Mahārāja menikmati kemakmuran yang sangat besar; berhati agung, baginda menyangka dirinya telah sempurna, lalu mula menikmati kebahagiaan kerajaan.

Synonyms

• बुभुजे: enjoyed
• बुभुजे: क्रिया (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्सभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; 'enjoyed/partook'

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्रियम्: fortune
• श्रियम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; 'prosperity, fortune'

• स्वृद्धाम्: greatly increased
• स्वृद्धाम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; 'well-increased, greatly augmented' (qualifies 'श्रियम्')

• द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम्: obtained through brāhmaṇas and gods
• द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विज + देव + उपलम्भिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—द्विजदेवैः उपलम्भिता (instrumental-tatpurusha sense) = 'obtained through the brāhmaṇas and the gods' (qualifies 'श्रियम्')

• कृतकृत्यम्: having accomplished (his) duty
• कृतकृत्यम्: कर्म-सम्बन्धि विशेषण (Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + कृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—कृतं कृत्यं यस्य/यथा = 'one whose duty is done; accomplished' (used predicatively with 'आत्मानम्')

• इव: as if
• इव: उपमा-सूचक (Comparative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-वाचक अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• आत्मानम्: himself
• आत्मानम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; 'self'

• मन्यमानः: thinking
• मन्यमानः: कर्ता (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु) → मन्यमान (शानच्-प्रत्यय, वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक आत्मनेपदीय कृदन्त (शानच्; present middle participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; 'thinking/considering' (agreeing with 'महामनाः')

• महामनाः: the great-minded one
• महामनाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मह + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—महान् मनः यस्य = 'great-minded' (as substantive/epithet)

Purport

The brāhmaṇas are called dvija-deva, and kṣatriyas are generally called nara-deva. The word deva actually refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The brāhmaṇas guide human society in becoming happy by satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, and according to their advice, the kṣatriyas, who are called nara-deva, keep law and order so that other people, namely the vaiśyas and śūdras, may properly follow regulative principles. In this way, people are gradually elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about gaining prosperity through brāhmaṇas and demigods?

This verse states that flourishing opulence is obtained through the support and blessings of brāhmaṇas and the demigods, implying prosperity is linked to dharma and divine alignment, not mere force or ambition.

Why does the Bhagavatam warn about feeling 'kṛta-kṛtya' (as if everything is accomplished)?

The verse highlights a psychological pitfall: after receiving success and honor, one may become complacent and self-satisfied, forgetting ongoing duties of humility, devotion, and righteous conduct.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Seek prosperity through ethical means, respect spiritual wisdom and those devoted to it, and avoid complacency after success—continue practicing humility, gratitude, and responsibility.