Shloka 14

The Vraja Elders Question Kṛṣṇa’s Identity; Nanda Recounts Garga’s Prophecy

Devanagari script

क्‍व सप्तहायनो बाल: क्‍व महाद्रिविधारणम् । ततो नो जायते शङ्का व्रजनाथ तवात्मजे ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

kva sapta-hāyano bālaḥ kva mahādri-vidhāraṇam tato no jāyate śaṅkā vraja-nātha tavātmaje

Translation

Einerseits ist dieser Junge erst sieben Jahre alt, andererseits sehen wir, dass Er den großen Govardhana-Hügel emporgehoben hat. Darum, o Herr von Vraja, entsteht in uns ein Zweifel über deinen Sohn.

Synonyms

• क्व: where/what (comparison)
• क्व: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्व (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक देशवाचक (interrogative adverb of place)

• सप्तहायनः: seven-year-old
• सप्तहायनः: Karta (कर्ता; विशेषण-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त-हायन (प्रातिपदिक; सप्त=7 + हायन=वर्ष)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (to बालः); समासः—द्विगु (संख्यापूर्वक)

• बालः: a child
• बालः: Karta (कर्ता; implied in contrast)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्व: and where (is)
• क्व: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्व (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रश्नार्थक/तुलनार्थक

• महाद्रिविधारणम्: the lifting/holding of a great mountain
• महाद्रिविधारणम्: Karta (कर्ता; implied in contrast)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-अद्रि-वि-धारण (प्रातिपदिक; महा=महान् + अद्रि=पर्वत + विधारण=धारण-कर्म)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय/षष्ठीभावः: ‘महान् अद्रिः’ + ‘धारणम्’)

• ततः: therefore
• ततः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/अतः (therefore/from that)

• नः: for us/our
• नः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; ‘for us/our’ (genitive used for concern)

• जायते: arises/is born
• जायते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• शङ्का: doubt
• शङ्का: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• व्रजनाथ: O lord of Vraja
• व्रजनाथ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रज-नाथ (प्रातिपदिक; व्रज=व्रज + नाथ=स्वामी)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• आत्मजे: in (your) son
• आत्मजे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक; आत्मन्+ज)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (उपपद: ‘self-born’ = son)

Characters & Entities

• Nanda Maharaja
• Krishna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna lifting Govardhana?

This verse highlights the Vrajavāsīs’ astonishment: a seven-year-old child holding a massive mountain is beyond ordinary possibility, confirming Krishna’s extraordinary, divine nature.

Why did the Vrajavasis say this to Nanda Maharaja (Vrajanatha)?

After witnessing the Govardhana-līlā, they addressed Nanda as the leader of Vraja and admitted that their doubts about Krishna were dispelled by this unparalleled act.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

When life feels overwhelming, remember that sincere surrender and devotion can reveal unexpected protection and strength—faith grows by reflecting on divine acts and their meaning.