Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 46

Kṛṣṇa Visits Indraprastha; Kuntī’s Remembrance; Kālindī and Further Marriages

Devanagari script

बद्ध्वा तान् दामभि: शौरिर्भग्नदर्पान् हतौजस: । व्यकर्षल्ल‍ीलया बद्धान् बालो दारुमयान् यथा ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

baddhvā tān dāmabhiḥ śaurir bhagna-darpān hataujasaḥ vyakarsal līlayā baddhān bālo dāru-mayān yathā

Translation

Đức Śauri trói các bò đực bằng dây; kiêu mạn và sức lực của chúng đã bị bẻ gãy. Rồi Ngài kéo chúng trong lila như đứa trẻ kéo những con bò gỗ đồ chơi.

Synonyms

• बद्ध्वा: having bound
• बद्ध्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having bound’

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• दामभिः: with ropes
• दामभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• शौरिः: Śauri (Krishna)
• शौरिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भग्नदर्पान्: whose pride was broken
• भग्नदर्पान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भग्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √भञ्ज्) + दर्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मविशेषण (adjective of object)

• हतौजसः: whose strength was destroyed
• हतौजसः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √हन्) + ओजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• व्यकर्षत्: he dragged/pulled
• व्यकर्षत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + कृष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• लीलया: playfully
• लीलया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लीला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बद्धान्: bound
• बद्धान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बद्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √बन्ध्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• बालः: a child
• बालः: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृ-सम्बन्धे उपमान (as subject of simile)

• दारुमयान्: made of wood
• दारुमयान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दारु (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मविशेषण

• यथा: as
• यथा: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमाद्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक (comparative particle: ‘as/like’)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Śauri)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna humbling pride?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa binding and dragging the offenders after breaking their pride and power, teaching that arrogance collapses before the Supreme Lord and that true strength lies in surrender.

Why did Krishna bind and drag them with ropes in this pastime?

In the narrative, Kṛṣṇa subdues those acting with arrogance and opposition to dharma; by treating them like powerless toys, He demonstrates His supreme control and turns their defeat into a līlā that instructs the world.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Use the verse as a reminder to replace ego with humility: accept correction, restrain pride when power increases, and cultivate devotion and service-mindedness rather than domination.