Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19

The Murder of Satrājit and the Recovery of the Syamantaka Jewel

Devanagari script

गरुडध्वजमारुह्य रथं रामजनार्दनौ । अन्वयातां महावेगैरश्वै राजन् गुरुद्रुहम् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

garuḍa-dhvajam āruhya rathaṁ rāma-janārdanau anvayātāṁ mahā-vegair aśvai rājan guru-druham

Translation

அரசே, கருடக் கொடி பறக்கும் தேரில் ஏறிய கிருஷ்ணரும் பலராமரும், மிக வேகமாகச் செல்லும் குதிரைகள் பூட்டப்பட்ட அந்தத் தேரில், தங்கள் பெரியவரைக் கொன்றவனைத் துரத்திச் சென்றனர்.

Synonyms

• garuḍa-dhvajam: the Garuḍa-bannered (chariot)
• garuḍa-dhvajam: Karma (कर्म) (object of āruhya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garuḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष—“गरुडः ध्वजः यस्य” (having Garuḍa as emblem) i.e., Garuḍa-bannered (chariot)

• āruhya: having mounted
• āruhya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√ruh (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), “having mounted”

• ratham: the chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; in apposition to garuḍa-dhvajam

• rāma-janārdanau: Rama and Janardana
• rāma-janārdanau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक) + janārdana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन); द्वन्द्व—Rāma and Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa)

• anvayātām: they pursued
• anvayātām: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-√yā (धातु)
• Form: Parasmaipada, Luṅ (Aorist/लुङ्), 3rd Person, Dual; “they pursued/followed”

• mahā-vegaiḥ: with great speed
• mahā-vegaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + vega (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); कर्मधारय—“महान् वेगः” used as adjective of aśvaiḥ

• aśvaiḥ: with horses
• aśvaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular

• guru-druham: the betrayer of his teacher
• guru-druham: Karma (कर्म) (object of anvayātām)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक) + druh (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष—“गुरोः द्रुहः” (one who betrays the guru)

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Janārdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• King Parīkṣit
• Satrājit (implied as the slain master)
• Śatadhanvā (implied as guru-druh)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about guru-droha (betraying one’s master or teacher)?

This verse labels the offender as “guru-druh,” highlighting guru-betrayal as a grave adharma that invites swift consequence and pursuit by the righteous.

Why did Krishna and Balarama pursue Shatadhanva in the Syamantaka jewel episode?

They pursued the “guru-druh” who had murdered his own master (Satrājit), upholding dharma and restoring moral order amid the turmoil surrounding the Syamantaka jewel.

Practical application of dharma from this shloka in modern life?

Do not tolerate betrayal of trust and authority; support justice with integrity, and act decisively—yet righteously—when wrongdoing disrupts social harmony.