Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 16

Kṛṣṇa Visits Trivakrā; Akrūra’s Praise and the Hastināpura Mission

Devanagari script

पादावनेजनीरापो धारयन् शिरसा नृप । अर्हणेनाम्बरैर्दिव्यैर्गन्धस्रग्भूषणोत्तमै: ॥ १५ ॥ अर्चित्वा शिरसानम्य पादावङ्कगतौ मृजन् । प्रश्रयावनतोऽक्रूर: कृष्णरामावभाषत ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

pādāvanejanīr āpo dhārayan śirasā nṛpa arhaṇenāmbarair divyair gandha-srag-bhūṣaṇottamaiḥ

Translation

O King, Akrūra bathed the feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma and then poured the bath water on his head. He presented Them with gifts of fine clothing, aromatic sandalwood paste, flower garlands and excellent jewelry. After thus worshiping the two Lords, he bowed his head to the floor. He then began to massage Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet, placing them on his lap, and with his head bowed in humility he addressed Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as follows.

Synonyms

• अर्चित्वा: having worshipped
• अर्चित्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभावः; ‘having worshipped’

• शिरसा: with (his) head
• शिरसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• नम्य: having bowed
• नम्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund/absolutive in -ya), ‘having bowed’

• पादौ: (their) feet
• पादौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• अङ्क-गतौ: resting in (his) lap
• अङ्क-गतौ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अङ्क + गत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual); सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः: अङ्के गतौ = ‘gone to/placed in the lap’; विशेषणम् pādau

• मृजन्: wiping/cleansing
• मृजन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मृज् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), परस्मैपदी; पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रश्रय-अवनतः: humbly bowed
• प्रश्रय-अवनतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रश्रय + अवनत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः: प्रश्रयेण अवनतः = bowed with humility; विशेषणम् akrūraḥ

• अक्रूरः: Akrūra
• अक्रूरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्रूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• कृष्ण-रामौ: Krishna and Rama
• कृष्ण-रामौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण + राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• अभाषत: spoke (to)
• अभाषत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपदी; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Akrura
• Krishna
• Balarama
• Parikshit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring the water from the Lord’s feet?

This verse shows Akrūra placing the water from washing Krishna and Balarama’s feet on his head, expressing supreme reverence and devotional submission.

Why did Akrura worship Krishna and Balarama with garments, garlands, and ornaments?

Because he recognized Them as the Supreme Lords and offered traditional, fitting items of honor (arhaṇa) as an act of bhakti and seva.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Approach sacred practice with humility and respect—offer your best (time, cleanliness, sincerity) rather than treating devotion casually.