Shloka 23

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

वीर्यशौर्यबलोन्नद्धमात्मशक्तिसमं वच: । कुरवो बलदेवस्य निशम्योचु: प्रकोपिता: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

vīrya-śaurya-balonnaddham ātma-śakti-samaṁ vacaḥ kuravo baladevasya niśamyocuḥ prakopitāḥ

Translation

బలదేవ ప్రభువు వీర్యం, శౌర్యం, బలంతో నిండిన, ఆయన దివ్యశక్తికి తగిన వాక్యాలు విని కౌరవులు కోపించి ఇలా పలికారు।

Synonyms

• vīrya-śaurya-bala-unnaddham: puffed up with valor, heroism and strength
• vīrya-śaurya-bala-unnaddham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + śaurya (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक) + unnaddha (कृदन्त; √nah/√nand? उन्नद्ध = उन्नद्ध/उन्नत-भाव)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participial adjective qualifying vacaḥ; समासः: vīrya-śaurya-bala- (तत्पुरुष) + unnaddha (कृदन्त)

• ātma-śakti-samam: equal to (his) own power
• ātma-śakti-samam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with vacaḥ; समासः ātma-śakti (तत्पुरुष) + sama (विशेषण)

• vacaḥ: speech; words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kuravaḥ: the Kurus
• kuravaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• baladevasya: of Baladeva
• baladevasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: baladeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √śam (धातु) with ni- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), indeclinable; ‘having heard’

• ūcuḥ: they said
• ūcuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• prakopitāḥ: enraged
• prakopitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prakopita (कृदन्त; √kup with pra-)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; past passive participle used adjectivally, qualifying kuravaḥ

Characters & Entities

• Baladeva (Balarāma)
• Kuravaḥ (Kurus/Kauravas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride arising from strength and valor?

This verse notes that speech infused with pride in heroism and strength can provoke hostility—here, Baladeva’s powerful words trigger the Kurus’ anger—showing how pride can escalate conflict.

Why did the Kurus become angry after hearing Baladeva’s words?

Because Baladeva spoke in a manner befitting His immense power—confident and forceful—so the Kurus, feeling challenged, became provoked and responded angrily.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Even when one is capable or right, harsh or prideful speech can inflame others; cultivate humility and measured words to prevent unnecessary conflict.