Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 40

Kṛṣṇa Visits Indraprastha; Kuntī’s Remembrance; Kālindī and Further Marriages

Devanagari script

श्रीभगवानुवाच नरेन्द्र याच्ञा कविभिर्विगर्हिता राजन्यबन्धोर्निजधर्मवर्तिन: । तथापि याचे तव सौहृदेच्छया कन्यां त्वदीयां न हि शुल्कदा वयम् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca narendra yācñā kavibhir vigarhitā rājanya-bandhor nija-dharma-vartinaḥ tathāpi yāce tava sauhṛdecchayā kanyāṁ tvadīyāṁ na hi śulka-dā vayam

Translation

The Supreme Lord said: O ruler of men, learned authorities condemn begging for a person in the royal order who is executing his religious duties. Even so, desiring your friendship, I ask you for your daughter, though We offer no gifts in exchange.

Synonyms

• śrī-bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• śrī-bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• narendra: O king of men
• narendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara-indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• yācñā: begging/request
• yācñā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yācñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• kavibhiḥ: by sages/poets
• kavibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kavi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• vigarhitā: condemned
• vigarhitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-garhita (कृदन्त; √garh धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with yācñā

• rājanya-bandhoḥ: O kinsman of the royal order
• rājanya-bandhoḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājanya-bandhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन) or Genitive (षष्ठी/6) Singular; here used as address (सम्बोधन) in context

• nija-dharma-vartinaḥ: O follower of your own duty
• nija-dharma-vartinaḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija-dharma-vartin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन) Singular (एकवचन); ‘one abiding in one’s own dharma’

• tathāpi: even so
• tathāpi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā api (अव्यय)
• Form: Concessive particle/adverb (निपात/अव्यय)

• yāce: I request
• yāce: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yāc (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tava: of you/your
• tava: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• sauhṛda-icchayā: out of desire for friendship
• sauhṛda-icchayā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sauhṛda-icchā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); हेतौ—‘out of desire for friendship’

• kanyām: the maiden/daughter
• kanyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• tvadīyām: your
• tvadīyām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tvadīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with kanyām

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• śulka-dāḥ: bride-price payers
• śulka-dāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śulka-dā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘givers of bride-price’

• vayam: we
• vayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Lord Kṛṣṇa
• Narendra (the King addressed)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about begging (yācñā) for a kshatriya?

This verse states that learned sages condemn begging, especially for one of the royal order who should live by his own dharma; Kṛṣṇa notes this standard even while making a respectful request.

Why did Krishna say He was requesting the king’s daughter despite it being condemned?

Kṛṣṇa explains He is doing so out of a desire for friendship and goodwill (sauhṛda), showing diplomatic humility while honoring dharma-based social expectations.

What is the practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Even when asking for something legitimate, one should respect ethical norms, speak humbly, and prioritize relationships and goodwill over transactional motives.