Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

संसिक्तवर्त्म करिणां मदगन्धतोयै- श्चित्रध्वजै: कनकतोरणपूर्णकुम्भै: । मृष्टात्मभिर्नवदुकूलविभूषणस्रग्- गन्धैर्नृभिर्युवतिभिश्च विराजमानम् ॥ ३१ ॥ उद्दीप्तदीपबलिभि: प्रतिसद्मजाल- निर्यातधूपरुचिरं विलसत्पताकम् । मूर्धन्यहेमकलशै रजतोरुश‍ृङ्गै- र्जुष्टं ददर्श भवनै: कुरुराजधाम ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

saṁsikta-vartma kariṇāṁ mada-gandha-toyaiś citra-dhvajaiḥ kanaka-toraṇa-pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ mṛṣṭātmabhir nava-dukūla-vibhūṣaṇa-srag- gandhair nṛbhir yuvatibhiś ca virājamānam

Translation

The roads of Indraprastha were sprinkled with water perfumed by the liquid from elephants’ foreheads, and colorful flags, golden gateways and full waterpots enhanced the city’s splendor. Men and young girls were beautifully arrayed in fine, new garments, adorned with flower garlands and ornaments, and anointed with aromatic sandalwood paste. Every home displayed glowing lamps and respectful offerings, and from the holes of the latticed windows drifted incense, further beautifying the city. Banners waved, and the roofs were decorated with golden domes on broad silver bases. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa saw the royal city of the King of the Kurus.

Synonyms

• saṁsikta-vartma: whose roads were sprinkled
• saṁsikta-vartma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṁsikta (कृदन्त; √sic सेक्तुम्) + vartman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘(यत्) वर्त्म संसिक्तम्’ (neuter acc. sg., qualifying implied ‘नगरम्/धाम’)

• kariṇām: of the elephants
• kariṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kariṇ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• mada-gandha-toyaiḥ: with water fragrant with rut
• mada-gandha-toyaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mada (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + toya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘मदस्य गन्धः यस्मिन् तत् तोयम्’ इति (instrumental pl.)

• citra-dhvajaiḥ: with colorful flags
• citra-dhvajaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक) + dhvaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• kanaka-toraṇa-pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ: with golden arches and filled pots
• kanaka-toraṇa-pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanaka (प्रातिपदिक) + toraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + pūrṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + kumbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘कनकस्य तोरणम्’ तथा ‘पूर्णः कुम्भः’ इत्यादि-सम्बन्धः

• mṛṣṭātmabhiḥ: by people of purified minds
• mṛṣṭātmabhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; √mṛj ‘to cleanse’) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘मृष्टः आत्मा येषाम्’

• nava-dukūla-vibhūṣaṇa-srag-gandhaiḥ: with the fragrance of new garments, ornaments, and garlands
• nava-dukūla-vibhūṣaṇa-srag-gandhaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nava (प्रातिपदिक) + dukūla (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sraj (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘नव-dukūla-विभूषण-स्रजः गन्धाः’ (instrumental pl.)

• nṛbhiḥ: by men
• nṛbhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• yuvatibhiḥ: by young women
• yuvatibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• virājamānam: shining, resplendent
• virājamānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√rāj (धातु) → virājamāna (कृदन्त; वर्तमानकृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त—‘विराजमानम्’ (shining), qualifying implied object (नगरम्/धाम)

Purport

Śrīla Prabhupāda adds in this connection: “Lord Kṛṣṇa thus entered the city of the Pāṇḍavas, enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere and slowly proceeded ahead.”

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Pāṇḍavas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about welcoming Lord Krishna?

This verse depicts an ideal welcome—clean, fragrant streets, auspicious decorations, and joyful, well-dressed citizens—showing that honoring Kṛṣṇa is expressed through purity, beauty, and devotion.

Why are elephants, flags, and full waterpots mentioned in this Bhagavatam verse?

They are traditional royal and auspicious markers: elephant-sprinkled roads signify grandeur, flags announce celebration, and full pots (pūrṇa-kumbhas) symbolize prosperity and sacred auspiciousness in Kṛṣṇa’s reception.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Welcome sacred presence—Deity worship, kīrtana gatherings, or saintly guests—by keeping the space clean, orderly, and uplifted, and by cultivating a respectful, joyful mood.