Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12

Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha

Devanagari script

अथादिशत् प्रयाणाय भगवान् देवकीसुत: । भृत्यान् दारुकजैत्रादीननुज्ञाप्य गुरून् विभु: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

athādiśat prayāṇāya bhagavān devakī-sutaḥ bhṛtyān dāruka-jaitrādīn anujñāpya gurūn vibhuḥ

Translation

The almighty Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakī, begged His superiors for permission to leave. Then He ordered His servants, headed by Dāruka and Jaitra, to prepare for departure.

Synonyms

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय (then/now)

• आदिशत्: ordered, instructed
• आदिशत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दिश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: आ-

• प्रयाणाय: for departure
• प्रयाणाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/for-purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रयाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• देवकी-सुतः: son of Devakī
• देवकी-सुतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवकी (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवक्याः सुतः)

• भृत्यान्: servants
• भृत्यान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• दारुक-जैत्र-आदीन्: Dāruka, Jaitra, and others
• दारुक-जैत्र-आदीन्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दारुक (प्रातिपदिक) + जैत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (दारुकश्च जैत्रश्च) + ‘आदि’ (and others)

• अनुज्ञाप्य: having taken leave (having asked permission)
• अनुज्ञाप्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/preceding action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (Gerund/Absolutive); उपसर्ग: अनु-; अर्थ: ‘having permitted/taken leave’

• गुरून्: elders/teachers
• गुरून्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• विभुः: the all-powerful one
• विभुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Purport

The superiors mentioned here are personalities such as Vasudeva, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s father.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Devakī-suta)
• Devakī
• Dāruka
• Jaitra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about taking permission from gurus and elders before important actions?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa Himself taking leave of His gurus/elders before departing, teaching that even great responsibilities should be undertaken with humility, proper etiquette, and respect for authority.

Why did Krishna instruct attendants like Dāruka and Jaitra before departing?

Because the Lord’s journey is carried out through orderly service—He directs His attendants (including His charioteer Dāruka) so the departure proceeds properly, reflecting divine leadership and disciplined devotion.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Before major decisions—travel, career moves, vows, or projects—seek blessings and guidance from mentors/elders, then organize responsibilities clearly with your team; this aligns action with dharma and reduces impulsiveness.