Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 49

Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate

Devanagari script

इत्यभिप्रेत्य राजेन्द्र सुदामा प्रीतमानस: । शस्तै: सुगन्धै: कुसुमैर्माला विरचिता ददौ ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

ity abhipretya rājendra sudāmā prīta-mānasaḥ śastaiḥ su-gandhaiḥ kusumair mālā viracitā dadau

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] O best of kings, having spoken these words, Sudāmā could understand what Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma wanted. Thus with great pleasure he presented Them with garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers.

Synonyms

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/quotative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), quotative particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• abhipretya: having intended
• abhipretya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√i (गम्) (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from abhi-√i; indeclinable; sense: having intended/considered

• rājendra: O best of kings
• rājendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; tatpuruṣa: rājñām indraḥ (king among kings)

• sudāmā: Sudāmā
• sudāmā: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sudāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prīta-mānasaḥ: with a delighted mind
• prīta-mānasaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण of sudāmā)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (कृदन्त) + mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; karmadhāraya: prītaṁ mānasaṁ yasya / prīta-mānasaḥ = one whose mind is pleased

• śastaiḥ: excellent
• śastaiḥ: Karana (करण/instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śasta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; used adjectivally with gandhaiḥ/kusumaiḥ

• su-gandhaiḥ: with fragrant (flowers/scents)
• su-gandhaiḥ: Karana (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; karmadhāraya: su-gandhāḥ = very fragrant (scents/flowers)

• kusumaiḥ: with flowers
• kusumaiḥ: Karana (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kusuma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• mālā: a garland
• mālā: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• viracitā: made/arranged
• viracitā: Karma-visheshana (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√rac (रच्) (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Past Passive Participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with mālā

• dadau: gave
• dadau: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा) (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja
• Sudāmā (mālā-kāra, the garland-maker)
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering flowers to Krishna?

This verse shows that a devotee like Sudāmā, understanding Kṛṣṇa’s desire, lovingly offers a garland of excellent fragrant flowers—simple yet heartfelt service in Kṛṣṇa-līlā.

Why did Sudāmā offer a garland to Krishna in Canto 10 Chapter 41?

Because he understood Kṛṣṇa’s intention and, with a joyful heart, expressed devotion by preparing and offering a beautiful garland.

Practical application of bhakti from the garland-maker’s example?

Offer your best—within your means—with sincerity and attentiveness to the Lord’s pleasure; devotion is shown through thoughtful, loving service.