Shloka 15

Uddhava Sent to Vraja: Consolation to Nanda-Yaśodā and the Gopīs’ Separation

Devanagari script

भोजितं परमान्नेन संविष्टं कशिपौ सुखम् । गतश्रमं पर्यपृच्छत् पादसंवाहनादिभि: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

bhojitaṁ paramānnena saṁviṣṭaṁ kaśipau sukham gata-śramaṁ paryapṛcchat pāda-saṁvāhanādibhiḥ

Translation

Nachdem Uddhava erstklassige Speisen zu sich genommen hatte, bequem auf einem Bett saß und durch eine Fußmassage und andere Mittel von seiner Müdigkeit befreit worden war, fragte Nanda ihn Folgendes.

Synonyms

• bhojitam: fed/served food
• bhojitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhojita (कृदन्त, √bhuj/भुज्)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; causative sense possible in context; past participle (क्त)

• paramānnena: with excellent food
• paramānnena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; कर्मधारय-समासः (paramam annam)

• saṁviṣṭam: seated
• saṁviṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṁviṣṭa (कृदन्त, √viś/विश् with sam-)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; past participle (क्त)

• kaśipau: on a couch/bed
• kaśipau: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaśipu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• sukham: comfortably
• sukham: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण-रूपेण द्वितीया)

• gata-śramam: whose fatigue was gone
• gata-śramam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gata (कृदन्त, √gam/गम्) + śrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समासः (gataḥ śramaḥ yasya)

• paryapṛcchat: inquired (after)
• paryapṛcchat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √prach (प्रच्छ्) with pari-
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथम-पुरुष), Singular

• pāda-saṁvāhana-ādibhiḥ: with foot-massage and the like
• pāda-saṁvāhana-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + saṁvāhana (प्रातिपदिक, from √vah/वह् with sam-, ‘massaging’) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; तत्पुरुष-समासः (pādasya saṁvāhanam) + ādi-समाहार (‘etc.’)

Purport

Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī mentions that Nanda had a servant massage Uddhava’s feet, since Uddhava was Nanda’s nephew.

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Nanda Mahārāja
• Yaśodā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving devotees (seva) in Krishna-lila?

This verse shows loving seva in action: Uddhava is honored with food, comfort, and foot-massage, and only after his fatigue is relieved do the Vraja elders inquire—service becomes the natural language of devotion.

Why did Nanda and Yaśodā first feed and comfort Uddhava before questioning him?

Uddhava arrived as Kṛṣṇa’s confidential messenger; Vraja’s culture is to receive a guest with affection and practical care first, and then ask about news—especially when the guest is connected to Kṛṣṇa.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice bhakti by serving first: welcome guests, care for their needs, and speak only after creating comfort—turning hospitality and attentive service into spiritual devotion.