Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 5

Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance

Devanagari script

तां केशबन्धव्यतिषक्तमल्लिकां बृहन्नितम्बस्तनकृच्छ्रमध्यमाम् । सुवाससं कल्पितकर्णभूषण- त्विषोल्लसत्कुन्तलमण्डिताननाम् ॥ ५ ॥ वल्गुस्मितापाङ्गविसर्गवीक्षितै- र्मनो हरन्तीं वनितां व्रजौकसाम् । अमंसताम्भोजकरेण रूपिणीं गोप्य: श्रियं द्रष्टुमिवागतां पतिम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

tāṁ keśa-bandha-vyatiṣakta-mallikāṁ bṛhan-nitamba-stana-kṛcchra-madhyamām suvāsasaṁ kalpita-karṇa-bhūṣaṇa- tviṣollasat-kuntala-maṇḍitānanām

Translation

Her hips were full, her breasts were large and firm, seeming to overburden her slim waist, and she was dressed very nicely. Her hair, adorned with a garland of mallikā flowers, was scattered about her beautiful face. Her earrings were brilliant, and as she smiled very attractively, glancing upon everyone, her beauty drew the attention of all the inhabitants of Vraja, especially the men. When the gopīs saw her, they thought that the beautiful goddess of fortune, holding a lotus flower in her hand, had come to see her husband, Kṛṣṇa.

Synonyms

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• केशबन्धव्यतिषक्तमल्लिकाम्: with jasmine entwined in her hair-braid
• केशबन्धव्यतिषक्तमल्लिकाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केश + बन्ध + व्यतिषक्त + मल्लिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (केशबन्धे व्यतिषक्ता मल्लिका यस्याः/यत्र)

• बृहन्नितम्बस्तनकृच्छ्रमध्यमाम्: having broad hips and breasts, and a slender waist
• बृहन्नितम्बस्तनकृच्छ्रमध्यमाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बृहत् + नितम्ब + स्तन + कृच्छ्र + मध्यमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (बृहन्तौ नितम्बौ स्तनौ च, कृच्छ्रः/सूक्ष्मः मध्यः यस्याः)

• सुवाससम्: well-dressed
• सुवाससम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (सु-वाससम् = सुन्दर-वस्त्रधारिणी)

• कल्पितकर्णभूषणत्विषोल्लसत्कुन्तलमण्डिताननाम्: whose face was adorned by shining curls and fashioned ear-ornaments
• कल्पितकर्णभूषणत्विषोल्लसत्कुन्तलमण्डिताननाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कल्पित + कर्ण + भूषण + त्विष् + उल्लसत् + कुन्तल + मण्डित + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (कल्पितैः कर्णभूषणैः त्विषा उल्लसन्तः कुन्तलाः, तैः मण्डितम् आननं यस्याः)

Characters & Entities

• Pūtanā
• Vraja-vāsīs (residents of Vraja)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about demons disguising themselves in Krishna’s pastimes?

In this verse, Pūtanā is described as appearing exquisitely beautiful and well-adorned—showing how evil can hide behind attractive forms, yet Krishna’s divine plan will expose and defeat it.

Why is Pūtanā described with such detailed beauty in Bhagavatam 10.6.5?

Śukadeva highlights her deceptive charm to show the power of māyā—how Vraja’s simple people could be momentarily impressed—while preparing the listener for Krishna’s protection and the revelation of her true nature.

Practical application: what can a devotee learn from Pūtanā’s external beauty?

Do not judge by appearances; cultivate discernment and take shelter of Krishna through bhakti, because spiritual safety comes from divine refuge, not from external attractiveness or social display.