Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.68.23
वीर्यशौर्यबलोन्नद्धमात्मशक्तिसमं वच: ।
कुरवो बलदेवस्य निशम्योचु: प्रकोपिता: ॥ २३ ॥
vīrya-śaurya-balonnaddham
[veerya-shaurya-balonnaddham]
ātma-śakti-samaṁ vacaḥ
[aatma-shakti-samam vachah]
kuravo baladevasya
[kuravo baladevasya]
niśamyocuḥ prakopitāḥ
[nishamyochuh prakopitaah]
Word-for-word
vīrya
—
with potency
śaurya
—
courage
bala
—
and strength
unnaddham
—
filled
ātma
—
to His own
śakti
—
power
samam
—
appropriate
vacaḥ
—
the words
kuravaḥ
—
the Kauravas
baladevasya
—
of Lord Baladeva
niśamya
—
hearing
ūcuḥ
—
they spoke
prakopitāḥ
—
angered .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
vīrya-śaurya-balonnaddham
vīrya
with potency
śaurya
courage
bala
and strength
unnaddham
filled
ātma-śakti-samaṁ vacaḥ
ātma
to His own
śakti
power
samam
appropriate
vacaḥ
the words
kuravo baladevasya
kuravaḥ
the Kauravas
baladevasya
of Lord Baladeva
niśamyocuḥ prakopitāḥ
niśamya
hearing
ūcuḥ
they spoke
prakopitāḥ
angered .
Important Words
-
baladevasya
—
of Lord Baladeva
Balarāma is here called Baladeva — 'the deity of strength.' Vyāsa names Him so just as the Kurus prepare to discover that strength.
-
ātma - śakti - samam
—
appropriate to His own potency
The verse's pivot. Balarāma's speech was already measured to His real power — no exaggeration, no bluff. The Kurus hear the measured tone and mistake it for low pressure.
-
prakopitāḥ
—
thoroughly angered
Pra-kup — intensified anger. Wounded pride is always more violent than wounded body. Balarāma's mild words wound the Kurus more than weapons could have.
Upon hearing these words of Lord Baladeva’s, which were full of potency, courage and strength and were appropriate to His transcendental power, the Kauravas became furious and spoke as follows.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Upon hearing these words of Lord Baladeva's, which were full of potency, courage and strength and were appropriate to His transcendental power, the Kauravas became furious and spoke as follows.
Commentary
Hearing his words filled with splendor (virya), courage (saurya), and strength, befitting his sakti, they became angry.
Jīva Gosvāmī
Gauḍīya
Commentary
As soon as they heard his words, they became intensely angry because of those words, since they were inclined to use bad words.
Śrīdhara Svāmī
Gauḍīya
Commentary
His words were bound strongly with śakti of mind, senses and body (vīyra-śaurya-bala) because the words were equivalent to his actual power (ātma-śakti-samam).
Related values & verses
Related values
Anahankarah (Freedom from False Ego)Dhriti (Resilience / Steadfastness / Fortitude)Prema (Divine Love)Kshama (Forgiveness / Patience)Mardava (Gentleness)Shraddha (Faith / Reverence)Udyama (Industriousness / Effort)
Related verses
Concepts
Jiva
Personal Guidance
Balarāma's words were potent and appropriate, yet the Kauravas grew furious. Even right speech can provoke rage in those bound by pride. The response of others is not always a measure of our truthfulness.
Reflection Questions
- Do I let other people's anger make me doubt my honest, well-delivered words?
- How do I stay grounded when truth-telling provokes resentment?
Analogy
Honey poured on hot iron — the gentleness of Balarāma's speech only makes the Kuru pride hiss louder. They mistake patience for weakness, the universal misreading of the proud.
My note
Source: vedabase.io