Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 15

Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti

Devanagari script

स याचित: सुरगणैरिन्द्राद्यैरात्मरक्षणे । असुरेभ्य: परित्रस्तैस्तद्रक्षां सोऽकरोच्चिरम् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

sa yācitaḥ sura-gaṇair indrādyair ātma-rakṣaṇe asurebhyaḥ paritrastais tad-rakṣāṁ so ’karoc ciram

Translation

因惧阿修罗之侵扰，因陀罗等诸天为自保而恳求；穆楚昆达遂久长护持他们。

Synonyms

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

• याचितः: was requested
• याचितः: Karta-anvaya (predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: याचित (कृदन्त; √याच् धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicate of सः

• सुर-गणैः: by the hosts of gods
• सुर-गणैः: Karaṇa/Agent-in-passive (करण; कर्तृ-भावे तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘सुराणां गणाः’; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• इन्द्र-आद्यैः: by Indra and others
• इन्द्र-आद्यैः: Karaṇa/Agent-in-passive (करण; कर्तृ-भावे तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘इन्द्रः आदिः येषाम्’; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• आत्म-रक्षणे: for self-protection
• आत्म-रक्षणे: Adhikaraṇa/Purpose-sphere (अधिकरण; विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘आत्मनः रक्षणम्’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• असुरेभ्यः: from the demons
• असुरेभ्यः: Apādāna (अपादान/From)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन

• परित्रस्तैः: being terrified
• परित्रस्तैः: Karaṇa-anvaya (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परित्रस्त (कृदन्त; √त्रस् धातु)
• Form: क्त (PPP); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण of सुर-गणैः/इन्द्र-आद्यैः

• तत्-रक्षाम्: that protection
• तत्-रक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘तस्य रक्षाम्’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• अकरोत्: did/performed
• अकरोत्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (Aorist), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• चिरम्: for a long time
• चिरम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: चिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Sura-gaṇa (the demigods)
• Asuras
• King Mucukunda

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about protecting the righteous from asuras?

This verse states that when the demigods, led by Indra, were afraid of the asuras, Mucukunda protected them for a long time—showing that defending the righteous is a noble duty.

Why did Indra and the demigods approach King Mucukunda for protection?

They were threatened by the asuras and sought a powerful ally; Mucukunda, famed for his strength and dharmic rule, was requested to guard them.

What is a practical application of this verse in modern life?

Offer protection and support to those facing injustice or fear—using one’s strength, resources, and influence in dharma rather than for selfish gain.