Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

दशधेनुसहस्राणि पारिबर्हमदाद् विभु: । युवतीनां त्रिसाहस्रं निष्कग्रीवसुवाससम् ॥ ५० ॥ नवनागसहस्राणि नागाच्छतगुणान् रथान् । रथाच्छतगुणानश्वानश्वाच्छतगुणान् नरान् ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

daśa-dhenu-sahasrāṇi pāribarham adād vibhuḥ yuvatīnāṁ tri-sāhasraṁ niṣka-grīva-suvāsasam

Translation

As the dowry, powerful King Nagnajit gave ten thousand cows, three thousand young maidservants wearing golden ornaments on their necks and bedecked in fine clothing, nine thousand elephants, a hundred times as many chariots as elephants, a hundred times as many horses as chariots, and a hundred times as many manservants as horses.

Synonyms

• daśa: ten
• daśa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective (संख्याविशेषण), indeclinable-like usage; qualifying 'dhenu-sahasrāṇi'

• dhenu-sahasrāṇi: ten thousand cows
• dhenu-sahasrāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhenu (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; tatpuruṣa: 'dhenu-sahasra' = thousand (of) cows; with 'daśa' => ten thousand cows

• pāribarham: dowry; bridal gifts
• pāribarham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāribarha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• adāt: gave
• adāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धा॒तु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vibhuḥ: the mighty one; the lord
• vibhuḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• yuvatīnām: of young women
• yuvatīnām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• tri-sāhasram: three thousand
• tri-sāhasram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; dvigu numeral compound meaning 'three thousand'

• niṣka-grīva-suvāsasam: with gold necklaces and fine clothing
• niṣka-grīva-suvāsasam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣka (प्रातिपदिक) + grīva (प्रातिपदिक) + su-vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; bahuvrīhi qualifying 'tri-sāhasram (yuvatīnām)': 'having niṣkas on the neck and fine garments'

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s wedding gifts and dowry (pāribarha)?

In this verse, Śukadeva describes that the Lord provided abundant dowry—ten thousand cows and three thousand well-adorned maidservants—showing royal generosity and the honoring of customary gifts.

Why does Krishna give such lavish gifts in Canto 10 Chapter 58?

Within the narrative of Kṛṣṇa’s marriages, these gifts reflect His role as the supreme yet socially exemplary king—upholding dharma, etiquette, and prosperity while performing His divine pastimes.

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

The verse highlights generosity, responsibility, and dignified care for dependents—encouraging devotees to support family and community with integrity while remembering Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate provider.