Shloka 5

Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow

Mathurā-līlā Prelude

Devanagari script

ततस्तावङ्गरागेण स्ववर्णेतरशोभिना । सम्प्राप्तपरभागेन शुशुभातेऽनुरञ्जितौ ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tatas tāv aṅga-rāgeṇa sva-varṇetara-śobhinā samprāpta-para-bhāgena śuśubhāte ’nurañjitau

Translation

ثم إنهما، وقد تطيّبا بذلك الطيب الرفيع الذي زاد بهاءهما بظلالٍ تخالف لون بشرتهما، بدَوَا في غاية الجمال وقد ازدادا إشراقًا.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (sequence adverb)

• tau: those two (Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma)
• tau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Dvivacana (du.)

• aṅga-rāgeṇa: with body-ointment
• aṅga-rāgeṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga + rāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: aṅgasya rāgaḥ; Puṃliṅga (m.), Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3), Ekavacana (sg.)

• sva-varṇa-itara-śobhinā: shining with a hue different from their natural color
• sva-varṇa-itara-śobhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva + varṇa + itara + śobhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (complex): sva-varṇāt itaraḥ (different from their own complexion) + śobhin (shining); Puṃliṅga (m.), Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3), Ekavacana (sg.); agrees with aṅga-rāgeṇa

• samprāpta-para-bhāgena: having attained supreme excellence
• samprāpta-para-bhāgena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samprāpta (प्र-आप् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त) + para + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: paraḥ bhāgaḥ (supreme share/excellence) samprāptaḥ; Instrumental singular; Puṃliṅga (m.), Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3), Ekavacana (sg.); qualifies the ointment/its effect

• śuśubhāte: they shone
• śuśubhāte: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śubh (शुभ् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Dvivacana (du.); ātmanepada

• anurañjitau: delighted; beautifully colored
• anurañjitau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anurañjita (रञ्ज् धातु + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: Kta-participle; Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Dvivacana (du.); agrees with tau

Purport

The ācāryas suggest that Kṛṣṇa spread yellow ointment upon His body, and Balarāma blue ointment upon His.

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Balarama

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s divine beauty in Canto 10?

This verse describes Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma shining brilliantly after being anointed with fragrant unguents, emphasizing Their transcendental, captivating beauty that delights the heart and draws devotion.

Who is being described as ‘the two of Them’ in Bhagavatam 10.42.5?

The verse refers to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who are being adorned as They proceed in Mathurā during the events leading up to Kaṁsa’s arena.

How can a devotee apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

By practicing devotional remembrance—hearing and contemplating Kṛṣṇa’s līlā and beauty—one can purify the mind and cultivate loving attraction (bhakti) toward the Divine.