Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

ननु स्वार्थविमूढानां प्रमत्तानां गृहेहया । अहो न: स्मारयामास गोपवाक्यै: सतां गति: ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

nanu svārtha-vimūḍhānāṁ pramattānāṁ gṛhehayā aho naḥ smārayām āsa gopa-vākyaiḥ satāṁ gatiḥ

Translation

Indeed, infatuated as we are with our household affairs, we have deviated completely from the real aim of our life. But now just see how the Lord, through the words of these simple cowherd boys, has reminded us of the ultimate destination of all true transcendentalists.

Synonyms

• nanu: indeed, now then
• nanu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nanu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), वाक्यारम्भे/उपपादनार्थे (indeed/now then)

• svārtha-vimūḍhānām: of those deluded about their own interest
• svārtha-vimūḍhānām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svārtha + vimūḍha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (contextual), षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—स्वार्थे विमूढाः (deluded about self-interest)

• pramattānām: of the heedless
• pramattānām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pramatta (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन

• gṛha-īhayā: by (their) household endeavor
• gṛha-īhayā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha + īhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/instrumental), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः—गृहे (गृहकार्ये) ईहा यस्या सा/तया (by household striving)

• aho: ah!, alas!
• aho: Sambandha (वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aho (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विस्मयादि-निपात (exclamation)

• naḥ: to us / our
• naḥ: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी/चतुर्थी विभक्ति (genitive/dative), बहुवचन; एन्क्लिटिक रूप (us/our/to us)

• smārayām: we reminded / we caused to remember
• smārayām: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परस्मैपद; perfect), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), बहुवचन; causative sense in usage ‘to remind’ (स्मारयति)

• āsa: indeed was (auxiliary)
• āsa: Kriya (क्रिया/auxiliary)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; सहायक-क्रिया (auxiliary) ‘was/indeed’—परिपूर्णार्थे

• gopa-vākyaiḥ: by the cowherds’ words
• gopa-vākyaiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gopa + vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः—गोपानां वाक्यानि (words of the cowherds)

• satām: of the virtuous / of the saints
• satām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन

• gatiḥ: the refuge/goal
• gatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/nominative), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Gopas (cowherd boys)
• Brāhmaṇa wives

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about being bewildered by household life (gṛhehayā)?

This verse says that intense striving for household enjoyment can make one heedless and confused about true self-interest, until devotion awakens remembrance of Krishna.

Why did the brāhmaṇa wives say they were reminded by the words of the gopas?

Because the gopas came as Krishna’s messengers; hearing their simple, direct request for Krishna’s service stirred the wives’ dormant devotion and brought Krishna to their remembrance.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Re-examine priorities: don’t let career/home anxieties eclipse spiritual purpose; keep regular reminders of Krishna through satsanga, scripture, and service.