Shloka 37

Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate

Devanagari script

एवं विकत्थमानस्य कुपितो देवकीसुत: । रजकस्य कराग्रेण शिर: कायादपातयत् ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ vikatthamānasya kupito devakī-sutaḥ rajakasya karāgreṇa śiraḥ kāyād apātayat

Translation

Als der Wäscher so prahlerisch redete, wurde der Sohn Devakīs zornig und trennte ihm mit bloßen Fingerspitzen den Kopf vom Leib.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; manner adverb

• विकत्थमानस्य: of the one boasting
• विकत्थमानस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-कत्थ् (धातु) → विकत्थमान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle, शतृ); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘of (him) boasting’

• कुपितः: angered
• कुपितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुपित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying देवकीसुतः)

• देवकी-सुतः: Devakī’s son (Krishna)
• देवकी-सुतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवकी (प्रातिपदिक) + सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• रजकस्य: of the washerman
• रजकस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• कर-अग्रेण: with the tip/edge of (his) hand
• कर-अग्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; instrument

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कायात्: from the body
• कायात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• अपातयत्: struck off / made fall
• अपातयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव/अप-पत् (धातु) (causative)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative) ‘caused to fall’

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Devakī-suta)
• the washerman (rajaka)

FAQs

Why did Krishna kill the washerman in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.41?

Because the washerman arrogantly refused to offer the king’s garments to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and spoke disrespectfully; Kṛṣṇa then punished him, demonstrating swift divine justice against pride and offense.

What is the meaning of 'Devaki-suta' in this verse?

'Devakī-suta' means “the son of Devakī,” identifying Śrī Kṛṣṇa and emphasizing His appearance in a human-like role within His Mathurā līlā.

What practical lesson does this shloka teach for modern life?

It warns against arrogance and disrespect toward the divine and saintly persons, teaching humility, right conduct (dharma), and the serious consequences of pride and offensive speech.