Shloka 22

Gokula’s Wonder, Kṛṣṇa’s Bhakta-vaśyatā, the Move to Vṛndāvana, and the Slaying of Vatsāsura and Bakāsura

Devanagari script

तत्रोपानन्दनामाह गोपो ज्ञानवयोऽधिक: । देशकालार्थतत्त्वज्ञ: प्रियकृद् रामकृष्णयो: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

tatropananda-nāmāha gopo jñāna-vayo-’dhikaḥ deśa-kālārtha-tattva-jñaḥ priya-kṛd rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ

Translation

In that assembly of the people of Gokula, a cowherd named Upananda—mature in age and wisdom, and skilled in judging place, time, and circumstance—offered this counsel for the welfare of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.

Synonyms

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• उपानन्द-नामा: (one) named Upānanda
• उपानन्द-नामा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘उपानन्दः नाम यस्य सः’ (one whose name is Upānanda)

• आह: said
• आह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्/आह (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गोपः: the cowherd
• गोपः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ज्ञान-वयः-अधिकः: superior in knowledge and age
• ज्ञान-वयः-अधिकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + वयस् (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative): ‘ज्ञानं च वयश्च अधिकं यस्य’—in sense ‘superior in knowledge and age’

• देश-काल-अर्थ-तत्त्व-ज्ञः: knower of place, time, purpose, and truth
• देश-काल-अर्थ-तत्त्व-ज्ञः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘देशकालार्थतत्त्वं जानाति’ (knower of place, time, purpose, and reality)

• प्रिय-कृत्: pleasing; benefactor
• प्रिय-कृत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु) → कृत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कृदन्तः—कृ धातोः ‘कृत्’ (agent-noun/doing), तत्पुरुषः—‘प्रियं करोति’ (one who does what is pleasing)

• राम-कृष्णयोः: of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa
• राम-कृष्णयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक) + कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (copulative): ‘रामश्च कृष्णश्च’

Characters & Entities

• Upānanda
• Balarāma
• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a wise elder devotee?

This verse highlights Upānanda as advanced in age and knowledge, expert in considering place, time, and practical needs, and focused on acting for the pleasure and welfare of Rāma and Kṛṣṇa.

Why is Upānanda mentioned in Canto 10 Chapter 11 of the Bhagavatam?

He is introduced as a respected senior cowherd whose mature judgment and devotion qualify him to speak and guide the Vraja community in matters concerning the safety and well-being of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

How can 'deśa-kāla-artha-tattva-jña' be applied in modern devotional life?

It suggests using practical discernment—choosing suitable time, place, and means—so that one’s decisions support devotion and genuinely please the Lord, rather than being impulsive or merely sentimental.