Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

उत्थातव्यमितोऽस्माभिर्गोकुलस्य हितैषिभि: । आयान्त्यत्र महोत्पाता बालानां नाशहेतव: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

utthātavyam ito ’smābhir gokulasya hitaiṣibhiḥ āyānty atra mahotpātā bālānāṁ nāśa-hetavaḥ

Translation

He said: “Dear cowherd friends, seeking Gokula’s welfare we should leave this place, for great calamities keep arising here, bringing destruction upon the children.”

Synonyms

• उत्थातव्यम्: we must depart
• उत्थातव्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत्-स्था (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (gerundive/तव्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; भावे प्रयोगः—‘उत्थातव्यम्’ = ‘should be moved/should depart’

• इतः: from here
• इतः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अपादानार्थक (ablatival adverb)

• अस्माभिः: by us
• अस्माभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: सर्वनाम, त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• गोकुलस्य: of Gokula
• गोकुलस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• हित-एषिभिः: by the well-wishers
• हित-एषिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक) + एषिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘हितम् एषन्ते’ (those who seek welfare)

• आयान्ति: are coming
• आयान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/लट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• महा-उत्पाताः: great calamities/portents
• महा-उत्पाताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘महान्तः उत्पाताः’

• बालानाम्: of the children
• बालानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• नाश-हेतवः: causes of destruction
• नाश-हेतवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाश (प्रातिपदिक) + हेतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘नाशस्य हेतवः’ (causes of destruction)

Characters & Entities

• Upananda
• Gokula
• Vraja-vāsīs (cowherd elders)
• bālāḥ (the children, including Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma by context)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about omens (utpāta) in Krishna’s childhood pastimes?

This verse shows the Vraja elders recognizing “mahā-utpātāḥ” (great calamities/portents) and responding responsibly—taking practical steps to protect the children and the community.

Why did Upananda advise the Vrajavasis to leave Gokula?

As a well-wisher of Gokula, Upananda perceived repeated dangers aimed at the children and urged an immediate relocation to avert further harm, aligning with the community’s duty of protection.

Practical application: what can we learn from this shloka in modern life?

Be a true “hitaiṣi” (well-wisher): notice warning signs early, take timely protective action, and prioritize the safety and spiritual well-being of dependents over comfort or inertia.