Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25

The Murder of Satrājit and the Recovery of the Syamantaka Jewel

Devanagari script

तं द‍ृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय मैथिल: प्रीतमानस: । अर्हयामास विधिवदर्हणीयं समर्हणै: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya maithilaḥ prīta-mānasaḥ arhayāṁ āsa vidhi-vad arhaṇīyaṁ samarhaṇaiḥ

Translation

The King of Mithilā immediately rose from his seat when he saw Lord Balarāma approaching. With great love the King honored the supremely worshipable Lord by offering Him elaborate worship, as stipulated by scriptural injunctions.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having seen’

• सहसा: suddenly
• सहसा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सहसा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण—‘suddenly/quickly’

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having risen’

• मैथिलः: the king of Mithilā (Janaka)
• मैथिलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (जनकः)

• प्रीत-मानसः: whose mind was pleased
• प्रीत-मानसः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (कृदन्त) + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘प्रीतं मानसं यस्य सः’

• अर्हयाम्: honored
• अर्हयाम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect) परस्मैपद-रूपम्; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; पदच्छेदे ‘अर्हयाम्’ (आम-आगमयुक्त-लिट्)

• आस: did/was (auxiliary)
• आस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; सहायक-क्रिया (periphrastic)

• विधि-वत्: properly, according to rite
• विधि-वत्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय; ‘according to rule’ (वत्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः)

• अर्हणीयम्: the one worthy of honor
• अर्हणीयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्हणीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: णीयत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘worthy to be honored’

• समर्हणैः: with respectful offerings
• समर्हणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर्हण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; साधन/करण—‘with honors/offerings’

Characters & Entities

• Maithila (King Janaka)
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about properly honoring a worshipable guest (atithi)?

This verse shows that a righteous king immediately rises, feels genuine joy, and honors the most worthy person with vidhivat—proper, scripturally aligned hospitality and offerings.

Why did the Maithila king (Janaka) rise immediately upon seeing Krishna?

Because recognizing Kṛṣṇa as supremely worthy of honor, Janaka’s heart became delighted and he expressed reverence through immediate respectful reception.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice respectful reception—greet sincerely, offer a seat, kind words, and appropriate service—especially to devotees, elders, and guests, doing it with joy and proper conduct.