Shloka 26

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha

Devanagari script

जीवता ब्राह्मणार्थाय को न्वर्थ: क्षत्रबन्धुना । देहेन पतमानेन नेहता विपुलं यश: ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

jīvatā brāhmaṇārthāya ko nv arthaḥ kṣatra-bandhunā dehena patamānena nehatā vipulaṁ yaśaḥ

Translation

กษัตริย์ผู้ไม่คู่ควรจะมีประโยชน์อันใด หากยังมีชีวิตอยู่แต่ไม่สร้างเกียรติยศอันยิ่งใหญ่ ด้วยร่างกายอันเสื่อมสลายนี้เพื่อประโยชน์ของพราหมณ์ทั้งหลาย

Synonyms

• jīvatā: by one living
• jīvatā: Kartri (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jīvat (जीवत्)
• Form: Present Participle (Shatri), Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• brāhmaṇa-arthāya: for the sake of Brahmins
• brāhmaṇa-arthāya: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa-artha (ब्राह्मणार्थ)
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• kaḥ: what
• kaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (किम्)
• Form: Interrogative Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• nu: indeed/possibly
• nu: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nu (नु)
• Form: Particle of doubt or inquiry

• arthaḥ: use/purpose
• arthaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (अर्थ)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kṣatra-bandhunā: by a fallen Kshatriya (nominal relative of Kshatriyas)
• kṣatra-bandhunā: Kartri (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatra-bandhu (क्षत्रबन्धु)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• dehena: with the body
• dehena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha (देह)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• patamānena: which is falling/perishable
• patamānena: Visheshana (Adjective to dehena)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: patamāna (पतमान)
• Form: Present Participle (Shanach), Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• na: not
• na: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (न)
• Form: Negative Particle

• īhatā: by one striving/desiring
• īhatā: Kartri (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īhat (ईहत्)
• Form: Present Participle (Shatri), Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• vipulam: vast/abundant
• vipulam: Visheshana (Adjective to yaśaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipula (विपुल)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• yaśaḥ: fame
• yaśaḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yaśas (यशस्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Characters & Entities

• Bhīma
• Brāhmaṇas (disguised Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, and Bhīma)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about kṣatriya-dharma and serving brāhmaṇas?

This verse shows Bhīma measuring his worth by his duty to protect and fulfill the mission for the brāhmaṇas; if he fails, he considers life itself meaningless, and sees honorable death in duty as true glory.

Why did Bhīma say this in Canto 10 Chapter 72?

In the Jarāsandha episode, the disguised ‘brāhmaṇas’ seek a combat boon; Bhīma, committed to their purpose (and to Kṛṣṇa’s plan), declares he would rather die than be an unworthy kṣatriya who cannot accomplish their request.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Do your duty with integrity and courage—measure success by faithful service to a higher purpose, not by mere self-preservation or reputation.