Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11

Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti

Devanagari script

श्रीकालिन्द्युवाच तपश्चरन्तीमाज्ञाय स्वपादस्पर्शनाशया । सख्योपेत्याग्रहीत् पाणिं योऽहं तद्गृहमार्जनी ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-kālindy uvāca tapaś carantīm ājñāya sva-pāda-sparśanāśayā sakhyopetyāgrahīt pāṇiṁ yo ’haṁ tad-gṛha-mārjanī

Translation

Śrī Kālindī said: The Lord knew I was performing severe austerities and penances with the hope of one day touching His lotus feet. So He came to me in the company of His friend and took my hand in marriage. Now I am engaged as a sweeper in His palace.

Synonyms

• śrī-kālindī: Lady Kālindī
• śrī-kālindī: Karta (कर्ता/वक्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kālindī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; honorific śrī-

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; used adverbially with carantīm

• carantīm: practicing (austerity)
• carantīm: Karma (कर्म) (object of ājñāya)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: car (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Feminine, Accusative, Singular; agrees with implied ‘me’

• ājñāya: having learned
• ājñāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु) with ā-
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्): ‘having come to know’

• sva-pāda-sparśana-āśayā: with the hope of touching his feet
• sva-pāda-sparśana-āśayā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + sparśana (प्रातिपदिक) + āśā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular; tatpuruṣa: sva-pādasya sparśanam ‘touch of his feet’ + āśā ‘hope’ → ‘with the hope of touching his feet’

• sakhyā: as a friend
• sakhyā: Sahakāraka (सह/सहयोग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sakhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular; ‘as a friend/with friendship’

• upetya: having approached
• upetya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: i (धातु) with upa-
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्): ‘having approached’

• agrahīt: took/held
• agrahīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

• pāṇim: hand
• pāṇim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; relative pronoun

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative, Singular

• tat-gṛha-mārjanī: the sweeper/cleaner of his house
• tat-gṛha-mārjanī: Karta (कर्ता) (predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + gṛha (प्रातिपदिक) + mārjanī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: tasya gṛhasya mārjanī ‘cleaner of his house’

Characters & Entities

• Kālindī
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about austerity (tapasya) leading to Krishna’s mercy?

This verse shows that sincere tapasya done with the desire for Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet culminates in His personal reciprocation—He recognizes the devotee’s intent and grants intimate shelter and service.

Why did Kālindī say that Krishna made her a ‘maidservant in His household’?

Kālindī expresses humility and devotion: although Kṛṣṇa accepted her hand in marriage, she views her highest identity as a servant engaged in pleasing Him, not as someone claiming status.

How can I apply Kālindī’s mood of devotion in modern life?

Practice steady discipline (tapasya) with a clear devotional goal, and cultivate humility—see achievements and relationships as opportunities to serve God and others rather than as grounds for pride.