Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18

Garuḍa, Saubhari’s Curse, Kāliya’s Refuge, and Kṛṣṇa Saves Vraja from Forest Fire

Devanagari script

देहि दानं द्विजातीनां कृष्णनिर्मुक्तिहेतवे । नन्द: प्रीतमना राजन् गा: सुवर्णं तदादिशत् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

dehi dānaṁ dvi-jātīnāṁ kṛṣṇa-nirmukti-hetave nandaḥ prīta-manā rājan gāḥ suvarṇaṁ tadādiśat

Translation

The brāhmaṇas then advised Nanda Mahārāja, “To assure that your son Kṛṣṇa will always be free from danger, you should give charity to the brāhmaṇas.” With a satisfied mind, O King, Nanda Mahārāja then very gladly gave them gifts of cows and gold.

Synonyms

• देहि: give
• देहि: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दानम्: a gift/charity
• दानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• द्विजातीनाम्: of the twice-born (brāhmaṇas)
• द्विजातीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या) + जाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग (समूहवाचक), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘द्विजातयः’ = brāhmaṇas (twice-born)

• कृष्ण-निर्मुक्ति-हेतवे: for the sake/cause of Kṛṣṇa’s deliverance
• कृष्ण-निर्मुक्ति-हेतवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Purpose-Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; ‘कृष्णस्य निर्मुक्तेः हेतवे’ (for the cause of Kṛṣṇa’s deliverance)

• नन्दः: Nanda
• नन्दः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• प्रीत-मनाः: glad at heart
• प्रीत-मनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (√प्री धातु, क्त) + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समासः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘प्रीतं मनो यस्य’ (whose mind is pleased)

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• गाः: cows
• गाः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• सुवर्णम्: gold
• सुवर्णम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तत्: that (gift)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘आदिशत्’ इत्यस्य कर्म (that/this)

• आदिशत्: ordered/commanded
• आदिशत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दिś् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Nanda (Nanda Mahārāja)
• Parīkṣit (King Parīkṣit)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving charity to brāhmaṇas?

This verse presents dāna to the dvija community—especially brāhmaṇas—as a dharmic act performed with devotion, here intended as a spiritual means for Kṛṣṇa’s safe release.

Why did Nanda Mahārāja give cows and gold in Canto 10 Chapter 17?

In the anxiety of Kṛṣṇa’s danger and then the joy of relief, Nanda follows dharma by giving valuable charity—cows and gold—offered for auspiciousness and as an expression of devotion.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Offer charity sincerely—especially to genuine spiritual teachers and dharmic causes—as an act of gratitude and devotion, and let giving become a way to remember and serve the Lord.