Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 10
Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa
सङ्गीतवद्रोदनवदुन्नमय्य शिरोधराम् । व्यमुञ्चन् विविधा वाचो ग्रामसिंहास्ततस्तत: ॥ १० ॥
saṅgītavad rodanavad unnamayya śirodharām vyamuñcan vividhā vāco grāma-siṁhās tatas tataḥ
शिरोधरामुन्नमय्य श्वानाः क्वचित् क्वचित् व्यमुञ्चन् विविधा वाचः—क्वचित् सङ्गीतवत्, क्वचित् रुदनवत्।
FAQs
In this verse, “grāma-siṁha” refers to a braggart or pseudo-hero—someone who roars loudly like a lion but only within a limited sphere, displaying pride rather than true valor.
Śukadeva portrays their chaotic, boastful agitation: their loud cries fluctuate in tone—sometimes theatrical like song, sometimes harsh like wailing—revealing instability and ego-driven excitement.
The verse warns against performative confidence and noisy self-promotion; genuine strength in bhakti is marked by steadiness, humility, and disciplined speech rather than boastful display.