Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 34

Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī

Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude

Devanagari script

तयोर्निवेशनं श्रीमदुपाकल्प्य महामति: । ससैन्ययो: सानुगयोरातिथ्यं विदधे यथा ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

tayor niveśanaṁ śrīmad upākalpya mahā-matiḥ sa-sainyayoḥ sānugayor ātithyaṁ vidadhe yathā

Translation

Generous King Bhīṣmaka arranged opulent accommodations for the two Lords, and also for Their army and entourage. In this way he afforded Them proper hospitality.

Synonyms

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), द्विवचन (Dual), सर्वनाम (Pronoun)

• निवेशनम्: lodging, residence
• निवेशनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निवेशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular)

• श्रीमद्: splendid, auspicious
• श्रीमद्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjective) to निवेशनम्

• उपाकल्प्य: having arranged
• उपाकल्प्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आ-कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal), ‘having prepared/arranged’

• महामतिः: the great-minded one
• महामतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; समास: महा + मति (‘great-minded’)

• ससैन्ययोः: of (them) with their armies
• ससैन्ययोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-सैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive), द्विवचन; समास: स (सह/with) + सैन्य (‘with army’), विशेषण to तयोः (implicit)

• सानुगयोः: of (them) with attendants
• सानुगयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-अनुग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive), द्विवचन; समास: स (सह/with) + अनुग (‘followers/attendants’), विशेषण to तयोः (implicit)

• आतिथ्यम्: hospitality
• आतिथ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• विदधे: he provided, arranged
• विदधे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-धा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• यथा: as, in the proper manner
• यथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (manner: ‘as, according to’)

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣmaka (King of Vidarbha)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about hospitality (ātithya) in royal life?

This verse shows ideal rāja-dharma: the king properly arranges lodging and respectful hospitality for guests, including their armies and attendants, according to circumstance and decorum.

Who is the ‘mahā-matiḥ’ (wise ruler) in Bhagavatam 10.53.34?

It refers to King Bhīṣmaka of Vidarbha, who responsibly hosted both groups present for the impending marriage events.

How can atithi-sevā (serving guests) be practiced in modern life based on this shloka?

Offer thoughtful welcome—appropriate space, care, and respect—according to one’s capacity, without pride, seeing guests as worthy of honor.