Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23

Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water

Devanagari script

सोऽतिवीर्योऽसुरो राम हे कृष्ण खररूपधृक् । आत्मतुल्यबलैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिभिर्बहुभिर्वृत: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

so ’ti-vīryo ’suro rāma he kṛṣṇa khara-rūpa-dhṛk ātma-tulya-balair anyair jñātibhir bahubhir vṛtaḥ

Translation

“罗摩啊，奎师那啊！那德努卡是极其强悍的阿修罗，化作驴形；他周围还有许多亲族同党，形貌相似，力气也与他相当。”

Synonyms

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ati-vīryaḥ: very mighty
• ati-vīryaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—अतिवीर्यः (very powerful)

• asuraḥ: the demon
• asuraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• rāma: O Rāma
• rāma: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• he: O
• he: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन-सूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: he (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सम्बोधनसूचक (vocative particle)

• kṛṣṇa: O Kṛṣṇa
• kṛṣṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• khara-rūpa-dhṛk: bearing a donkey form
• khara-rūpa-dhṛk: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khara (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhṛk (कृदन्त; √dhṛ धृ, क्विप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—खररूपं धृक् (bearer of a donkey-form)

• ātma-tulya-balaiḥ: with others equal to him in strength
• ātma-tulya-balaiḥ: Sahakari (सहकारी/Instrument of accompaniment)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + tulya (प्रातिपदिक) + bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—आत्मतुल्यं बलं येषां तैः (with those of strength equal to his)

• anyaiḥ: other
• anyaiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणं (qualifying the companions)

• jñātibhiḥ: by/with kinsmen
• jñātibhiḥ: Sahakari (सहकारी/Accompaniment)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• bahubhiḥ: many
• bahubhiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणं ‘jñātibhiḥ’

• vṛtaḥ: surrounded
• vṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛta (कृदन्त; √vṛ वृ, PPP)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (PPP) — ‘surrounded’

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma
• Kṛṣṇa
• Dhenukāsura

FAQs

Who is the donkey-form demon mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.15.23?

The verse describes Dhenukāsura, an extremely powerful asura who assumed the form of a donkey and was surrounded by many equally strong companions and relatives.

Why is Balarama and Krishna addressed together in this verse?

Śukadeva narrates the Vṛndāvana pastime to Parīkṣit, highlighting that the brothers, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, jointly face threats to protect the Vraja community.

What is the practical lesson from Krishna’s encounter with powerful demons like Dhenukasura?

Obstacles may appear formidable and supported by “many allies,” but steady devotion and reliance on the Lord’s protection cultivate fearlessness and spiritual resilience.