Shloka 21

शबलाहरणम्

The Attempted Seizure of Sabalā (Kāmadhenu) and the Triumph of Brahmic Power

Devanagari script

तैरासीत् संवृता भूमि श्शकैर्यवनमिश्रितै:।प्रभावद्भिर्महावीर्यैर्हेमकिञ्जल्कसन्निभै:।।।।

Transliteration

tair āsīt saṅvṛtā bhūmiḥ śakair yavanamiśritaiḥ | prabhāvadbhir mahāvīryair hemakiñjalkasannibhaiḥ ||

Translation

Nabalot ang lupa ng mga Śaka na nahalo sa mga Yavana—nagniningning, dakila ang lakas, at kumikislap na tila gintong himaymay.

Word by Word

• तैः: by them
• तैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• आसीत्: was
• आसीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• संवृता: covered
• संवृता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्+वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP)

• भूमिः: earth
• भूमिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शकैः: by Śakas
• शकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• यवनमिश्रितैः: mixed with Yavanas
• यवनमिश्रितैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यवन-मिश्रित (प्रातिपदिक; मिश्र् धातु-निष्पन्न कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—यवनैः मिश्रितैः

• प्रभावद्भिः: splendid / radiant
• प्रभावद्भिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रभाववत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘वत्’ प्रत्यय (possessive)

• महावीर्यैः: of great valor
• महावीर्यैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā-वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः

• हेमकिञ्जल्कसन्निभैः: resembling golden filaments
• हेमकिञ्जल्कसन्निभैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम-किञ्जल्क-सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—हेमकिञ्जल्कस्य सन्निभैः (resembling golden filaments)

Context

Sakas mixed with Yavanas, resembling golden filaments possessing brilliance and supreme bravery, covered the earth.

Characters & Entities

• Śaka
• Yavana

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Power and brilliance are ethically neutral; Dharma evaluates how power is used. The verse sets up the moral contrast between forceful seizure and righteous restraint.

What is the narrative situation?

The conflict escalates as formidable groups (Śakas mixed with Yavanas) appear in overwhelming numbers, covering the battlefield/earth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implicitly, the need for disciplined power (self-restraint) is foregrounded, preparing for the narrative judgment on coercion versus rightful conduct.