Shloka 10

Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

Devanagari script

तमपृच्छद् धृषीकेश: प्रणतं समवस्थितम् । दीप्यमानेन वपुषा पुरुषं हेममालिनम् ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

tam apṛcchad dhṛṣīkeśaḥ praṇataṁ samavasthitam dīpyamānena vapuṣā puruṣaṁ hema-mālinam

Translation

Daraufhin befragte der Höchste Herr Hṛṣīkeśa jene Persönlichkeit, die mit gesenktem Haupt vor Ihm stand, deren Leib strahlend leuchtete und die mit goldenen Halsketten geschmückt war.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); सर्वनाम-शब्द

• apṛcchat: asked
• apṛcchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prach (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhṛṣīkeśaḥ: Hrishikesha (Krishna)
• dhṛṣīkeśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhṛṣīka + īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (धृषीकाणाम् ईशः)

• praṇatam: bowed down
• praṇatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-ṇam (धातु)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (क्त/कृत), Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; विशेषण

• samavasthitam: standing nearby / present
• samavasthitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ava-sthā (धातु)
• Form: Past Active Participle (क्त/कृत), Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; विशेषण

• dīpyamānena: by (a) blazing
• dīpyamānena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīp (धातु)
• Form: Present Passive Participle (शानच्), Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; वपुषा इत्यस्य विशेषण

• vapuṣā: with (his) body/form
• vapuṣā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vapus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• puruṣam: the person
• puruṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• hema-mālinam: wearing a golden garland
• hema-mālinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema + mālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हेमस्य माली)

Purport

The demigod was about to speak, and Lord Kṛṣṇa wanted to focus everyone’s attention on his words. Therefore He personally inquired from the worshipable Vidyādhara, who was standing before Him with his head bowed.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Hṛṣīkeśa)
• A radiant person wearing a golden garland (celestial attendant/messenger in the narrative)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about approaching Krishna with humility?

This verse shows a radiant person standing before Kṛṣṇa in a bowed, submissive posture, highlighting that true approach to the Lord is marked by humility and reverence.

Why did Krishna (Hṛṣīkeśa) question the radiant person wearing a golden garland?

Within the unfolding Vraja narrative, Kṛṣṇa engages directly with the arriving celestial figure to understand his purpose and to guide events for the protection and instruction of His devotees.

Practical application of humility and receptivity in modern life based on this shloka?

Cultivate a respectful, receptive attitude—especially when seeking guidance—because humility opens the way for clarity, right questions, and meaningful answers.