Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 20

The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti

Devanagari script

निषिध्यमाना: पतिभिर्भ्रातृभिर्बन्धुभि: सुतै: । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके दीर्घश्रुतधृताशया: ॥ २० ॥ यमुनोपवनेऽशोकनवपल्लवमण्डिते । विचरन्तं वृतं गोपै: साग्रजं दद‍ृशु: स्त्रिय: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

niṣidhyamānāḥ patibhir bhrātṛbhir bandhubhiḥ sutaiḥ bhagavaty uttama-śloke dīrgha-śruta-dhṛtāśayāḥ

Translation

Although their husbands, brothers, sons and other relatives tried to forbid them from going, their hope of seeing Kṛṣṇa, cultivated by extensive hearing of His transcendental qualities, won out. Along the river Yamunā, within a garden decorated with buds of aśoka trees, they caught sight of Him strolling along in the company of the cowherd boys and His elder brother, Balarāma.

Synonyms

• निषिध्यमानाः: being forbidden / being restrained
• निषिध्यमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि-षिध् (धातु) + शानच् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि (Passive) शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (Feminine, Nominative, Plural)

• पतिभिः: by (their) husbands
• पतिभिः: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/सह) विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural)

• भ्रातृभिः: by brothers
• भ्रातृभिः: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural)

• बन्धुभिः: by relatives
• बन्धुभिः: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural)

• सुतैः: by sons
• सुतैः: Karana/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural)

• भगवति: in/with regard to the Lord
• भगवति: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग-शब्दस्य सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• उत्तमश्लोके: in the One of excellent fame (Uttamaśloka)
• उत्तमश्लोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तम + श्लोक (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (उत्तमः श्लोकः यस्य/यत्र); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Locative, Singular)

• दीर्घश्रुतधृताशयाः: whose hope was sustained by long hearing (of Him)
• दीर्घश्रुतधृताशयाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ + श्रुत + धृत + आशय (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (दीर्घं श्रुतं धृतः आशयः येषाम्); स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम् (Feminine, Nominative, Plural)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Uttamaśloka)
• wives of the brāhmaṇas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of hearing (śravaṇam) about Krishna?

This verse shows that long, faithful hearing about Uttamaśloka can create unshakable hope and resolve in devotion, strong enough to withstand social and family pressure.

Why did the brāhmaṇa wives go to Krishna even when their families forbade them?

Because their hearts had been prepared by prolonged hearing about Krishna’s glory; that cultivated faith became stronger than fear of opposition.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Sustain spiritual practice through consistent hearing/reading of Bhagavatam; steady śravaṇam builds inner clarity and courage to keep dharma and bhakti even amid discouragement.