Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35

Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti

Devanagari script

एवं सम्भाषितो राज्ञा भगवान् भूतभावन: । प्रत्याह प्रहसन् वाण्या मेघनादगभीरया ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ sambhāṣito rājñā bhagavān bhūta-bhāvanaḥ pratyāha prahasan vāṇyā megha-nāda-gabhīrayā

Translation

[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Thus addressed by the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, origin of all creation, smiled and then replied to him in a voice as deep as the rumbling of clouds.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: thus/in this manner)

• सम्भाषितः: addressed
• सम्भाषितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + भाष् (धातु) → सम्भाषित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; कर्मणि (having been addressed/spoken to)

• राज्ञा: by the king
• राज्ञा: Kartr (कर्ता/agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन, तृतीया-विभक्ति (instrumental)

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति

• भूतभावनः: nourisher of beings
• भूतभावनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + भावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा-विभक्ति; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (nourisher/creator of beings)

• प्रत्याह: replied/said
• प्रत्याह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + आ + अह्/ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद; कथनक्रिया (replied/said)

• प्रहसन्: smiling
• प्रहसन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + हस् (धातु) → प्रहसत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, एकवचन, प्रथमा; क्रियाविशेषणभाव (while smiling)

• वाण्या: with (his) voice
• वाण्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, एकवचन, तृतीया-विभक्ति (instrumental)

• मेघनादगभीरया: deep like thunder
• मेघनादगभीरया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ + नाद + गभीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, एकवचन, तृतीया-विभक्ति; समास (तत्पुरुष): मेघ-नादवत् गभीरा (deep like thunder/cloud-roar), विशेषण (qualifying vāṇyā)

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Śrī Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu)
• King Mucukunda

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna as the well-wisher of all beings (bhūta-bhāvanaḥ)?

This verse describes the Lord as bhūta-bhāvanaḥ—He nourishes and uplifts all living beings, and even when approached by a suffering soul, He responds with gracious, compassionate attention.

Why did the Lord smile before replying to King Mucukunda in Bhagavatam 10.51?

After hearing the king’s words, the Lord’s smile indicates His kindness and reassurance—He is pleased with sincere surrender and is about to give a fitting, benevolent response.

How can I apply the teaching of this verse in modern life?

Approach God with humility and honesty; trust that the Supreme Lord is a genuine well-wisher. The verse encourages faith that divine guidance comes with compassion, not condemnation.