Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19

Dhruva’s War with the Yakṣas and the Protection of the Holy Name

Devanagari script

भल्लै: सञ्छिद्यमानानां शिरोभिश्चारुकुण्डलै: । ऊरुभिर्हेमतालाभैर्दोर्भिर्वलयवल्गुभि: ॥ १८ ॥ हारकेयूरमुकुटैरुष्णीषैश्च महाधनै: । आस्तृतास्ता रणभुवो रेजुर्वीरमनोहरा: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

bhallaiḥ sañchidyamānānāṁ śirobhiś cāru-kuṇḍalaiḥ ūrubhir hema-tālābhair dorbhir valaya-valgubhiḥ

Translation

Đại hiền Maitreya tiếp lời: Hỡi Vidura, những chiếc đầu bị mũi tên bhalla của Dhruva Mahārāja chém rời vẫn đẹp đẽ với hoa tai và khăn đội. Đùi họ như cây thốt nốt vàng, cánh tay rực rỡ vòng tay và giáp tay bằng vàng, còn trên đầu là vương miện và mũ giáp vô giá nạm vàng. Chiến địa phủ đầy trang sức ấy lộng lẫy đến mức có thể làm mê hoặc cả tâm trí một dũng sĩ.

Synonyms

• bhallaiḥ: with (sharp) arrows
• bhallaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhalla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sañchidyamānānām: of those being severed
• sañchidyamānānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√chid (छिद् धातु) → sañchidyamāna (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Present passive participle), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• śirobhiḥ: with heads
• śirobhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• cāru-kuṇḍalaiḥ: with beautiful earrings
• cāru-kuṇḍalaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cāru (प्रातिपदिक) + kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ūrubhiḥ: with thighs
• ūrubhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• hema-tālābhaiḥ: with golden (palm-like) ornaments/marks
• hema-tālābhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक) + tālābha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dorbhiḥ: with arms
• dorbhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dor (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• valaya-valgubhiḥ: with bracelet-beautified (arms)
• valaya-valgubhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: valaya (प्रातिपदिक) + valgu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

Purport

It appears that in those days soldiers used to go to the battlefield highly decorated with golden ornaments and with helmets and turbans, and when they were dead the booty was taken by the enemy party. Their falling dead in battle with their many golden ornamental dresses was certainly a lucrative opportunity for the heroes on the battlefield.

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja
• Yakṣas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the nature of a battlefield in Dhruva’s story?

This verse vividly describes the battlefield as covered with severed limbs and costly ornaments, emphasizing the intense kṣatriya conflict during Dhruva Mahārāja’s campaign against the Yakṣas.

Why is the battlefield described as ‘pleasing to heroes’ in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.10.19?

The text notes that warriors, trained in heroic values, can perceive martial splendor even amid violence—highlighting the kṣatriya mindset and the grim allure of victory and valor.

Practical application: what lesson should a devotee take from such graphic descriptions?

The Bhagavatam’s realism warns against fascination with violence and pride; devotees can reflect on the temporary nature of worldly glory and seek steadiness, restraint, and devotion over vengeance.