Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 5

The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property

Devanagari script

तत्रागत्यारविन्दाक्षो भगवान् विश्वभावन: । वीक्ष्योज्जहार वामेन तं करेण स लीलया ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tatrāgatyāravindākṣo bhagavān viśva-bhāvanaḥ vīkṣyojjahāra vāmena taṁ kareṇa sa līlayā

Translation

The lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, maintainer of the universe, went to the well and saw the lizard. Then with His left hand He easily lifted it out.

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• āgatya: having come
• āgatya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) from √gam with ā-; indeclinable

• aravinda-akṣaḥ: the lotus-eyed one
• aravinda-akṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aravinda (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi ‘one whose eyes are like lotuses’; masculine nominative singular (पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन)

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine nominative singular (पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन)

• viśva-bhāvanaḥ: sustainer of the universe
• viśva-bhāvanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa ‘nourisher/sustainer of the universe’; masculine nominative singular (पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन) apposition to bhagavān

• vīkṣya: having seen
• vīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi + īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) from √īkṣ with vi-; indeclinable

• ujjahāra: he lifted out
• ujjahāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud + hṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada; 3rd person singular (प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन) from √hṛ with ud-; ‘lifted out’

• vāmena: with the left
• vāmena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine instrumental singular (पुंलिङ्ग तृतीया एकवचन); used substantively ‘with the left (hand)’

• tam: him/that one
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine accusative singular (पुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचन)

• kareṇa: with (his) hand
• kareṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine instrumental singular (पुंलिङ्ग तृतीया एकवचन)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine nominative singular (पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन) pronoun; refers to bhagavān

• līlayā: playfully/as a sport
• līlayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine instrumental singular (स्त्रीलिङ्ग तृतीया एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Bhagavān, Aravindākṣa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s effortless divine power?

This verse shows that Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, the universe’s benefactor, simply glances and lifts the object with His left hand “as a pastime,” highlighting His effortless supremacy.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Kṛṣṇa as “Viśva-bhāvana” here?

He emphasizes that the same Kṛṣṇa who performs intimate human-like līlās is simultaneously the cosmic sustainer and well-wisher of all beings.

Practical application of Krishna-lila in modern life?

Remembering that the Lord can act effortlessly encourages devotees to reduce anxiety, take shelter in bhakti, and approach challenges with faith rather than panic.