Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27

Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla

Devanagari script

तत्पादाववनिज्याप: शिरसा लोकपावनी: । सभार्य: सानुजामात्य: सकुटुम्बो वहन्मुदा ॥ २७ ॥ वासोभि: पीतकौषेयैर्भूषणैश्च महाधनै: । अर्हयित्वाश्रुपूर्णाक्षो नाशकत् समवेक्षितुम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

tat-pādāv avanijyāpaḥ śirasā loka-pāvanīḥ sa-bhāryaḥ sānujāmātyaḥ sa-kuṭumbo vahan mudā

Translation

After bathing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira joyfully sprinkled the water upon his own head, and then upon the heads of his wife, brothers, other family members and ministers. That water purifies the whole world. As he honored the Lord with presentations of yellow silken garments and precious jeweled ornaments, the King’s tear-filled eyes prevented him from looking directly at the Lord.

Synonyms

• tat-pādau: His (Krishna's) two feet
• tat-pādau: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat-pāda (तत्पाद)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Dual. (Shasthi Tatpurusha)

• avanijya: having washed
• avanijya: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nij (निज्) + ava (अव)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Gerund)

• āpaḥ: water (wash-water)
• āpaḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (अप्)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• śirasā: with his head
• śirasā: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (शिरस्)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

• loka-pāvanīḥ: world-purifying
• loka-pāvanīḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to āpaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: loka-pāvanī (लोकपावनी)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Plural. (Upapada Tatpurusha: purifying the world)

• sa-bhāryaḥ: along with his wife
• sa-bhāryaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa-bhārya (सभार्य)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular. (With wife)

• sa-anuja-amātyaḥ: with brothers and ministers
• sa-anuja-amātyaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sānujāmātya (सानुजामात्य)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular. (With younger brothers and ministers)

• sa-kuṭumbaḥ: with family
• sa-kuṭumbaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa-kuṭumba (सकुटुम्ब)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular. (With family)

• vahan: carrying/bearing
• vahan: Visheshana (Qualifier to Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vah (वह्)
• Form: Shatri Pratyaya (Present Participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• mudā: with joy
• mudā: Karana (Manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mud (मुद्)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja

FAQs

What is the significance of washing Lord Krishna’s feet in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse portrays reverential bhakti: washing the Lord’s feet and honoring that water as purifying (caraṇāmṛta), expressing humility and recognizing Kṛṣṇa as supremely sacred.

Why did Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja carry the foot-wash water on his head?

During the Rājasūya context, Yudhiṣṭhira publicly honored Kṛṣṇa; bearing the water on his head shows surrender and devotion, treating the Lord’s remnants as supremely purifying.

How can this teaching be applied in modern devotional life?

Cultivate humility and reverence—serve Bhagavān and His devotees, honor sacred remnants (prasāda/caraṇāmṛta), and involve one’s household in devotional practices.