Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18

Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha

Devanagari script

राजन् विद्ध्यतिथीन् प्राप्तानर्थिनो दूरमागतान् । तन्न: प्रयच्छ भद्रं ते यद्वयं कामयामहे ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

rājan viddhy atithīn prāptān arthino dūram āgatān tan naḥ prayaccha bhadraṁ te yad vayaṁ kāmayāmahe

Translation

[Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma said:] O King, know us to be needy guests who have come to you from afar. We wish all good unto you. Please grant us whatever we desire.

Synonyms

• rājan: O King
• rājan: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• viddhi: know/understand
• viddhi: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vid (धातु)
• Form: Lot (Imperative/लोट्), 2nd Person, Singular

• atithīn: guests
• atithīn: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: atithi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• prāptān: arrived
• prāptān: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + āp (धातु) -> prāpta
• Form: Kta Pratyaya (Past Participle), Masc, Acc, Pl

• arthinaḥ: seekers/beggars
• arthinaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/Noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arthin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dūram: from afar
• dūram: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial Accusative

• āgatān: come
• āgatān: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā + gam (धातु) -> āgata
• Form: Kta Pratyaya (Past Participle), Masc, Acc, Pl

• tat: therefore
• tat: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Correlative Particle

• naḥ: to us
• naḥ: Sampradana (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural

• prayaccha: give/bestow
• prayaccha: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + yam (धातु)
• Form: Lot (Imperative/लोट्), 2nd Person, Singular

• bhadram: good fortune/blessing
• bhadram: Subject of implied 'astu'
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhadra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• te: to you
• te: Sampradana (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• yat: what
• yat: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vayam: we
• vayam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• kāmayāmahe: desire
• kāmayāmahe: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kam (धातु)
• Form: Lat (Present/लट), 1st Person, Plural, Atmanepada

Characters & Entities

• Jarāsandha

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about atithi dharma (duty to guests)?

This verse shows that a host—especially a king—should recognize arriving visitors as atithis and respond favorably, honoring the sacred duty of hospitality and granting appropriate requests.

Why did Krishna say this to Jarasandha in Canto 10 Chapter 72?

Kṛṣṇa, along with Bhīma and Arjuna, approached Jarāsandha in disguise to request a duel; by invoking atithi-dharma and royal etiquette, He compelled the king to accept their petition.

Practical application of honoring guests in modern life according to Bhagavatam?

Treat sincere visitors respectfully, listen to their needs without arrogance, and offer what is appropriate within your capacity—seeing hospitality as a spiritual practice, not mere social formality.