Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25

The Killing of Keśī and Vyomāsura; Nārada’s Prophetic Praise of Kṛṣṇa

Devanagari script

भगवानपि गोविन्दो हत्वा केशिनमाहवे । पशूनपालयत् पालै: प्रीतैर्व्रजसुखावह: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavān api govindo hatvā keśinam āhave paśūn apālayat pālaiḥ prītair vraja-sukhāvahaḥ

Translation

After killing the demon Keśī in battle, the Supreme Personality of Godhead continued to tend the cows and other animals in the company of His joyful cowherd boyfriends. Thus He brought happiness to all the residents of Vṛndāvana.

Synonyms

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana

• api: also
• api: Sambandha-bodhaka/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (निपात)

• govindaḥ: Govinda
• govindaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: govinda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana

• hatvā: having slain
• hatvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा); indeclinable verbal form (अव्ययभाव)

• keśinam: Keśin
• keśinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Ekavacana

• āhave: in battle
• āhave: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Saptamī (7th/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• paśūn: the cattle
• paśūn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd/द्वितीया), Bahuvacana

• apālayat: protected
• apālayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pāl (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (Imperfect/Past/अनद्यतनभूत), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथम), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• pālaiḥ: with the cowherds
• pālaiḥ: Sahakārī/Karaṇa (सहकारी/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana

• prītaiḥ: delighted
• prītaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (कृदन्त/भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd/तृतीया), Bahuvacana; विशेषणम् (pālaiḥ)

• vraja-sukha-āvahaḥ: bringing happiness to Vraja
• vraja-sukha-āvahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vraja (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + āvaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (1st/प्रथमा), Ekavacana; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (व्रजस्य सुखम् आवहति इति)

Characters & Entities

• Govinda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Keśī
• Vraja-vāsīs (cowherd boys/herdsmen)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna killing the Keśī demon?

This verse states that Govinda killed Keśī in battle and then resumed His cowherd life, tending the animals with the joyful boys of Vraja.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 10.37.25?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse while describing Kṛṣṇa’s Vṛndāvana pastimes to King Parīkṣit.

Practical application of Krishna’s example in modern life?

Do your duty steadily and humbly: even after major “victories,” return to simple, service-oriented responsibilities that bring well-being to your community.