Devanagari
कथमिन्द्रोऽपि कुरुभिर्भीष्मद्रोणार्जुनादिभि: ।
अदत्तमवरुन्धीत सिंहग्रस्तमिवोरण: ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
katham indro ’pi kurubhir
bhīṣma-droṇārjunādibhiḥ
adattam avarundhīta
siṁha-grastam ivoraṇaḥ
Synonyms
katham
—
how
;
indraḥ
—
Lord Indra
;
api
—
even
;
kurubhiḥ
—
by the Kurus
;
bhīṣma
—
droṇa — arjuna — ādibhiḥ — Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna and others
;
adattam
—
not given
;
avarundhīta
—
would usurp
;
siṁha
—
by a lion
;
grastam
—
that which has been seized
;
iva
—
as
;
uraṇaḥ
—
a sheep .
Translation
How would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It would be like a lamb claiming the lion’s kill.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
How would even Indra dare usurp anything that Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Arjuna or the other Kurus have not given him? It would be like a lamb claiming the lion's kill.
KB 10.68.28
“No one in the world can enjoy anything if members of the Kuru dynasty like Bhīṣma, Droṇācārya and Arjuna do not allow them to. Exactly as a lamb cannot enjoy life in the presence of a lion, without our desire it is not even possible for the demigods in heaven, headed by King Indra, to find enjoyment in life, what to speak of ordinary human beings!”
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
"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?"
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
They speak out of pride since the Yādavas got their kingdom without the help of even Arjuna.
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
“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.