Shloka 16

Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction

Devanagari script

यास्यन् राजानमभ्येत्य विषमं पुत्रलालसम् । अवदत् सुहृदां मध्ये बन्धुभि: सौहृदोदितम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

yāsyan rājānam abhyetya viṣamaṁ putra-lālasam avadat suhṛdāṁ madhye bandhubhiḥ sauhṛdoditam

Translation

ప్రయాణమునకు ముందుగా అక్రూరుడు, సుహృదుల మధ్య కూర్చున్న రాజు ధృతరాష్ట్రుని సమీపించి, కుమారమోహం వల్ల పాండవుల పట్ల అతడు అన్యాయంగా ప్రవర్తించిన విషయాన్ని సూచించి, బంధువులైన శ్రీకృష్ణ-శ్రీబలరాములు స్నేహంతో పంపిన సందేశాన్ని తెలియజేశెను।

Synonyms

• यास्यन्: while going
• यास्यन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘going’

• राजानम्: the king
• राजानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अभ्येत्य: having approached
• अभ्येत्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; ‘having approached’

• विषमम्: distressed/uneasy
• विषमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying the king)

• पुत्रलालसम्: longing for (his) sons
• पुत्रलालसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुत्र + लालस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पुत्रेषु लालसः)

• अवदत्: said
• अवदत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• सुहृदाम्: of friends/well-wishers
• सुहृदाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुहृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural)

• मध्ये: in the midst
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• बन्धुभिः: by/with relatives
• बन्धुभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सौहृदोदितम्: spoken out of goodwill
• सौहृदोदितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौहृद + उदित (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सौहृदेन उदितम् = arising from friendship)

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about attachment to one's child (putra-lālasa)?

This verse depicts the king as distressed due to strong attachment to his son, setting the scene for spiritual counsel: affection is natural, but excessive attachment can cloud dharma and inner steadiness, and should be balanced by higher devotion and wisdom.

Why did Uddhava approach King Yudhiṣṭhira and speak among relatives and friends?

Uddhava approached as he was departing and addressed the king publicly among well-wishers and family so that the king could be supported by the community and so that the counsel—spoken from genuine friendship—could steady everyone during a time of sorrow.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching about grief and attachment in modern life?

When emotions surge due to family attachment, seek wise, well-wishing guidance, hear counsel rooted in goodwill, and reconnect your love to a higher purpose—serving Bhagavān—so that affection becomes supportive rather than destabilizing.