Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25

Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba

Devanagari script

एते यौनेन सम्बद्धा: सहशय्यासनाशना: । वृष्णयस्तुल्यतां नीता अस्मद्दत्तनृपासना: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

ete yaunena sambaddhāḥ saha-śayyāsanāśanāḥ vṛṣṇayas tulyatāṁ nītā asmad-datta-nṛpāsanāḥ

Translation

Dahil ang mga Vṛṣṇi na ito ay nakatali sa atin sa pamamagitan ng ugnayang pag-aasawa, binigyan natin sila ng pagkakapantay—nakikihati sila sa ating higaan, upuan, at pagkain. Sa katunayan, tayo ang nagkaloob ng kanilang mga trono.

Synonyms

• ete: these (people)
• ete: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• yaunena: by kinship/relationship (of birth)
• yaunena: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yauna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• sambaddhāḥ: connected; related
• sambaddhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sambaddha (कृदन्त; √bandh with sam-)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; qualifies ete

• saha-śayyā-āsana-aśanāḥ: sharing bed, seat, and food
• saha-śayyā-āsana-aśanāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saha (अव्यय) + śayyā (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक) + aśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; dvandva of śayyā-āsana-aśana with saha- as prefixal element meaning ‘sharing’; qualifies ete

• vṛṣṇayaḥ: the Vṛṣṇis
• vṛṣṇayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; apposition to ete

• tulyatām: equality; equal status
• tulyatām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tulyatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nītāḥ: brought (to)
• nītāḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīta (कृदन्त; √nī)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; past passive participle; predicate adjective with implied ‘have been brought’

• asmad-datta-nṛpa-āsanāḥ: (those) given royal seats by us
• asmad-datta-nṛpa-āsanāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + datta (कृदन्त; √dā) + nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक) + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; qualifies vṛṣṇayaḥ/ete; compound: asmad-datta (तत्पुरुष) + nṛpāsana (तत्पुरुष)

Characters & Entities

• Ugrasena
• Vṛṣṇis (Yādavas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about equality and royal status in Krishna’s time?

This verse highlights how political favors—like granting thrones—can create a sense of “equality” or entitlement, showing the Bhagavatam’s caution about pride arising from power and proximity.

Why does Ugrasena mention sharing beds, seats, and meals with others?

He points to close family and marital alliances—intimacy and shared privileges—as reasons some felt socially equal to the Vṛṣṇis, setting the context for tensions born from familiarity and courtly honor.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

It warns that closeness to influential people or receiving status from them can inflate ego; one should remain humble and avoid measuring worth by access, privilege, or titles.