Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 7

Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed

Devanagari script

तानानर्चुर्यथा सर्वे सहरामोऽच्युतोऽर्चयत् । स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यमाल्यधूपानुलेपनै: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

tān ānarcur yathā sarve saha-rāmo ’cyuto ’rcayat svāgatāsana-pādyārghya- mālya-dhūpānulepanaiḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa, Lord Balarāma and the other kings and leaders properly worshiped the sages by offering them words of greeting, sitting places, water for washing their feet, drinking water, flower garlands, incense and sandalwood paste.

Synonyms

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• आनर्चुः: honored/worshiped
• आनर्चुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-नर्च्/अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

• यथा: as/according to
• यथा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb/conjunction of manner (प्रकारवाचक)

• सर्वे: all (of them)
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• सह-रामः: (Krishna) along with Rama
• सह-रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सह (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; avyayībhāva: ‘रामेण सह’ → ‘सहरामः’ = ‘with Rama’ (used as a name/epithet)

• अच्युतः: Achyuta (Krishna)
• अच्युतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; proper epithet of Krishna

• अर्चयत्: worshiped/honored
• अर्चयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• स्वागत-आसन-पाद्य-अर्घ्य-माल्य-धूप-अनुलेपनैः: with welcome, seats, water for feet, offerings, garlands, incense, and unguents
• स्वागत-आसन-पाद्य-अर्घ्य-माल्य-धूप-अनुलेपनैः: Karana (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वागत (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + माल्य (प्रातिपदिक) + धूप (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (a collective list) used as means of honoring

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta)
• Balarāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests (atithi-seva)?

This verse shows that proper dharmic hospitality—welcome, seating, foot-washing water, arghya, garlands, incense, and fragrant anointments—is itself a form of worship, exemplified by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Why did Krishna and Balarama offer padya and arghya to the guests?

In the narrative, the visitors are to be received with the highest respect; Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma model ideal conduct by honoring them according to sacred custom, treating service to worthy guests as worship.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice devotional hospitality: receive guests—especially devotees, elders, and teachers—with sincere welcome, a clean place to sit, water/refreshments, and respectful words, seeing service as an offering to God.