Shloka 28

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

कथमिन्द्रोऽपि कुरुभिर्भीष्मद्रोणार्जुनादिभि: । अदत्तमवरुन्धीत सिंहग्रस्तमिवोरण: ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

katham indro ’pi kurubhir bhīṣma-droṇārjunādibhiḥ adattam avarundhīta siṁha-grastam ivoraṇaḥ

Translation

భీష్ముడు, ద్రోణుడు, అర్జునుడు మొదలైన కురువంశస్థులు ఇవ్వని వస్తువును ఇంద్రుడు కూడా ఎలా తీసుకోగలడు? ఇది సింహం నోటిలోని ఆహారాన్ని గొర్రె లాక్కోవడం వంటిది.

Synonyms

• katham: how?
• katham: Prashna (प्रश्न/Interrogative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: katham (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्यय (interrogative adverb)

• indraḥ: Indra
• indraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-कारक अव्यय (particle: even/also)

• kurubhiḥ: by the Kurus
• kurubhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• bhīṣma-droṇa-arjuna-ādibhiḥ: by Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and others
• bhīṣma-droṇa-arjuna-ādibhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhīṣma + droṇa + arjuna + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (copulative) ‘भीष्मद्रोणार्जुन’ + ‘आदि’ (etc.)

• adattam: not given (ungranted)
• adattam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a + datta (कृदन्त; √dā दा (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) with negation ‘a-’

• avarundhīta: could seize/appropriate
• avarundhīta: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava + √rudh (रुध्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; उपसर्ग ‘ava-’

• siṁha-grastam: seized by a lion
• siṁha-grastam: Upamāna (उपमान/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siṁha + grasta (कृदन्त; √gras ग्रस् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/‘सिंहेन ग्रस्तम्’ = seized by a lion)

• iva: as if/like
• iva: Upamā (उपमा/Simile marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• uraṇaḥ: a ram (wild sheep)
• uraṇaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Kuru
• Bhīṣma
• Droṇa
• Arjuna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking what is not given?

This verse stresses that even a powerful ruler like Indra should not seize what has not been granted; rightful protection and dharma prevent such unlawful taking.

Why are Bhishma, Drona, and Arjuna mentioned in this Bhagavatam verse?

They are cited as exemplary mighty protectors among the Kurus, illustrating that what is guarded by such warriors cannot be forcibly taken.

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

Practice integrity: do not claim or take what is not rightfully given—respect boundaries, consent, and lawful ownership, even when you have influence or power.