Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 20

The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वामोघं विप्रशापं द‍ृष्ट्वा च मुषलं नृप । विस्मिता भयसन्त्रस्ता बभूवुर्द्वारकौकस: ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

śrutvāmoghaṁ vipra-śāpaṁ dṛṣṭvā ca muṣalaṁ nṛpa vismitā bhaya-santrastā babhūvur dvārakaukasaḥ

Translation

Ôi vua Parīkṣit, khi dân Dvārakā nghe lời nguyền không sai chạy của các bà-la-môn và thấy cây chùy ấy, họ kinh ngạc và rối bời vì sợ hãi.

Synonyms

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √श्रु (धातु) → श्रुत्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• अमोघम्: unfailing
• अमोघम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमोघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘विप्रशापम्’ इति विशेषण

• विप्र-शापम्: the brāhmaṇas’ curse
• विप्र-शापम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘विप्राणां शापः’; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √दृश् (धातु) → दृष्ट्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• मुषलम्: the club
• मुषलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुषल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• नृप: O king
• नृप: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• विस्मिताः: astonished
• विस्मिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्मित (प्रातिपदिक; √स्मि/√स्मय्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• भय-सन्त्रस्ताः: frightened with fear
• भय-सन्त्रस्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्त्रस्त (प्रातिपदिक; √त्रस्)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (instrumental/causal sense): ‘भयेन सन्त्रस्ताः’ (terrified by fear); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• बभूवुः: became/were
• बभूवुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• द्वारका-ओकसः: the inhabitants of Dvārakā
• द्वारका-ओकसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वारका (प्रातिपदिक) + ओकस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘द्वारकायाम् ओकसः’ (dwellers of Dvārakā); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja
• brāhmaṇas (vipras)
• residents of Dvārakā (Dvārakaukasaḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of a brāhmaṇa’s curse?

This verse states that the brāhmaṇas’ curse was amogha—unfailing—and its visible sign (the iron club) made even the people of Dvārakā fearful, highlighting the grave potency of brāhmaṇa words.

Why were the residents of Dvārakā afraid after seeing the muṣala (iron club)?

Because the club confirmed that the brāhmaṇas’ curse had taken effect and would lead to an inescapable calamity, the Dvārakā residents became shocked and terrified.

Practical application: what lesson does this shloka teach for modern life?

It teaches reverence for sacred speech and responsibility in conduct—harmful actions and offenses can yield unavoidable consequences, so one should act with humility, restraint, and respect toward the saintly.