Shloka 33

Akrūra’s Mission: The Departure from Vraja and the Yamunā Vision of Viṣṇu-Ananta

Devanagari script

गोपास्तमन्वसज्जन्त नन्दाद्या: शकटैस्तत: । आदायोपायनं भूरि कुम्भान् गोरससम्भृतान् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

gopās tam anvasajjanta nandādyāḥ śakaṭais tataḥ ādāyopāyanaṁ bhūri kumbhān go-rasa-sambhṛtān

Translation

Dann folgten die Kuhhirten, angeführt von Nanda Mahārāja, dem Herrn Kṛṣṇa in ihren Wagen. Sie brachten dem König viele Gaben mit, darunter Tontöpfe, gefüllt mit Ghee und anderen Milchprodukten.

Synonyms

• gopāḥ: the cowherd men
• gopāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gopa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

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

• anvasajjanta: followed/attached themselves (followed along)
• anvasajjanta: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-sañj (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• nandādyāḥ: Nanda and others
• nandādyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nanda + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः—नन्दः आदिः येषाम् (तत्पुरुषः)

• śakaṭaiḥ: with carts/wagons
• śakaṭaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• tataḥ: then/thereupon
• tataḥ: Desha-kala (देश-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/ततः—क्रम/अपादानार्थक (then/from there)

• ādāya: having taken
• ādāya: Purva-kala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-dā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), अव्ययभाव; ‘having taken’

• upāyanam: a gift/present
• upāyanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upāyana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• bhūri: many/much
• bhūri: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhūri (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाणवाचक (quantifier: much, many)

• kumbhān: pots
• kumbhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• go-rasa-sambhṛtān: filled with milk-products
• go-rasa-sambhṛtān: Karma-anvayi (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: go + rasa + sambhṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; समासः—गो-रसैः सम्भृताः (तत्पुरुषः)

Characters & Entities

• Akrūra
• Nanda Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering gifts in devotion?

This verse shows the Vraja cowherds expressing devotion through practical offerings—bringing abundant pots of milk products as gifts, embodying loving service (seva) through simple, heartfelt giving.

Why did Nanda and the gopas follow Akrura with wagons and gifts?

In the narrative, Akrura is connected with Mathura and Kṛṣṇa’s impending journey; Nanda and the gopas accompany him respectfully and bring offerings—reflecting Vraja’s affectionate, duty-filled concern and hospitality.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Offer what you genuinely have—time, resources, food, skills—in a spirit of devotion and care, making service practical rather than merely sentimental.