Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 17

Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida

Dvivida-vadha

Devanagari script

द्विविदोऽपि महावीर्य: शालमुद्यम्य पाणिना । अभ्येत्य तरसा तेन बलं मूर्धन्यताडयत् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

dvivido ’pi mahā-vīryaḥ śālam udyamya pāṇinā abhyetya tarasā tena balaṁ mūrdhany atāḍayat

Translation

大力的德维维达也上前交战；他单手拔起一株娑罗树，猛冲向巴拉罗摩，以树干击打主的头顶。

Synonyms

• द्विविदः: Dvivida
• द्विविदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/समुच्चयार्थ (also/even)

• महावीर्यः: of great prowess
• महावीर्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (द्विविदस्य)

• शालम्: a śāla tree
• शालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• उद्यम्य: having raised
• उद्यम्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्+यम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having lifted/raised’

• पाणिना: with (his) hand
• पाणिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• अभ्येत्य: approaching
• अभ्येत्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि+इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having approached’

• तरसा: with force, swiftly
• तरसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; भाववाचक

• तेन: with that (tree)
• तेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• बलम्: Balarāma
• बलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• मूर्धनि: on the head
• मूर्धनि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• अताडयत्: struck
• अताडयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ताड् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect, past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Dvivida
• Balarāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Dvivida’s attack on Balarama?

This verse describes Dvivida rushing forward, lifting a śāla tree, and striking Lord Balarāma on the head, showing the demon’s aggression and the beginning of the decisive confrontation.

Why did Dvivida attack Balarama in Canto 10?

In the narrative of this chapter, Dvivida acts as a violent disturber of dharma and an enemy of the Yadus; his attack on Balarāma is part of his attempt to terrorize and oppose the Lord’s associates.

What is the practical lesson from Dvivida striking Balarama with a tree?

Material strength and aggression can appear formidable, but devotion teaches steadiness: dharma ultimately prevails when one takes shelter of the Lord and remains fearless amid intimidation.