Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 21

The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance

Devanagari script

भवन्त एतद् विज्ञाय देहाद्युत्पाद्यमन्तवत् । मां यजन्तोऽध्वरैर्युक्ता: प्रजा धर्मेण रक्ष्यथ ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

bhavanta etad vijñāya dehādy utpādyam anta-vat māṁ yajanto ’dhvarair yuktāḥ prajā dharmeṇa rakṣyatha

Translation

Understanding that this material body and everything connected with it have a beginning and an end, worship Me by Vedic sacrifices, and with clear intelligence protect your subjects in accordance with the principles of religion.

Synonyms

• bhavantaḥ: you (honorable ones)
• bhavantaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vijñāya: having understood
• vijñāya: Purvakalika Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vi + jñā (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Gerund (Absolutive)

• dehādi: beginning with the body
• dehādi: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deha-ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• utpādyam: created/generated
• utpādyam: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ut + pad (धातु) + ṇyat (ण्यत्)
• Form: Potential Participle, Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• antavat: temporary/having an end
• antavat: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: antavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• mām: Me
• mām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• yajantaḥ: worshipping
• yajantaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yaj (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present Participle, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• adhvaraiḥ: with sacrifices
• adhvaraiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• yuktāḥ: engaged/disciplined
• yuktāḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuj (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• prajāḥ: subjects/citizens
• prajāḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dharmeṇa: by dharma/righteousness
• dharmeṇa: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• rakṣyatha: you shall protect
• rakṣyatha: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: rakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Lrt Lakara (Future), Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Plural

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the body being temporary (deha is antavat)?

This verse states that the body and all related material conditions are created (utpādyam) and therefore have an end (antavat), so one should center life on worship of Kṛṣṇa and dharmic duty rather than bodily identity.

Why did Krishna instruct rulers to protect citizens by dharma in Canto 10 Chapter 73?

After establishing proper order and removing oppression in the Jarāsandha episode, Kṛṣṇa emphasizes rajadharma: leaders must govern as a sacred duty—worshiping the Lord and safeguarding subjects through righteous principles.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Remembering life’s impermanence reduces ego and anxiety; one can practice devotion through sincere worship and serve society ethically—doing one’s responsibilities with integrity and compassion.