Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.68.28
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
-
indraḥ
—
Indra
Even the king of heaven, the Kurus boast, would not take what the Kurus had not given. But Kṛṣṇa once made Indra Himself flee with the pārijāta (SB 10.59) — a fact Balarāma will throw back at them in verse 35.
-
siṁha - grastam
—
that which has been seized by a lion
Grasta = seized in the jaws. The Kurus picture themselves as lions; the entire chapter has been pointing out who the real lions are — the Yadus, sons of Kṛṣṇa.
-
uraṇaḥ
—
a sheep, a lamb
The cowardly claimant in the simile. By verse 42 the Kurus will look exactly like uraṇas — bleating with families in hand at Balarāma's feet.
"As you proudly think yourselves favored by Indra, please hear o Yadavas. How can Indra dare take anything which is not given by the Kauravas? He is like a ram in comparison to a lion. If Indra is like a ram, what are you?"
They speak out of pride since the Yādavas got their kingdom without the help of even Arjuna.
“Why should they become so inimical, since the daughter, who should anyway be married was taken by kṣatriya custom?” Since she was taken by force without our approval, our pride is injured. Or they cannot enjoy anything which is not given by us. That is the meaning of the verse. The word ādibhiḥ indicates Karṇa and others. Arjuna who was not present is mentioned because as a relative they are all considered one. Or they elevate their position by identifying with him.
- Where am I imagining myself as the authorizer of what only the Lord truly grants?
- What humility would correct my sense of indispensability?
A sheep claiming the lion's kill — the Kurus' own simile, and astonishingly accurate, except they have placed themselves on the wrong side of it.
My note
Source: vedabase.io