Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 4
Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water
स तत्र तत्रारुणपल्लवश्रिया फलप्रसूनोरुभरेण पादयो: । स्पृशच्छिखान् वीक्ष्य वनस्पतीन् मुदा स्मयन्निवाहाग्रजमादिपूरुष: ॥ ४ ॥
sa tatra tatrāruṇa-pallava-śriyā phala-prasūnoru-bhareṇa pādayoḥ spṛśac chikhān vīkṣya vanaspatīn mudā smayann ivāhāgra-jam ādi-pūruṣaḥ
The primeval Lord saw the stately trees, adorned with reddish buds and weighed down by fruits and flowers, bending so that the tips of their branches might touch His feet. Seeing this, He smiled gently and spoke to His elder brother.
The words mudā smayann iva indicate that Lord Kṛṣṇa was in a joking mood. He knew that the trees were actually bowing down to worship Him. But in the following verse the Lord, speaking in a friendly, lighthearted mood, gives the credit to His brother, Balarāma.
FAQs
This verse depicts the Vṛndāvana trees bending under fruits, flowers, and fresh reddish shoots so that their tops touch Kṛṣṇa’s feet—an image of nature offering loving service (sevā) to the Lord.
Śukadeva calls Kṛṣṇa “Ādi-pūruṣa” to affirm that the playful cowherd boy in Vṛndāvana is the original Supreme Person, whose divinity is present even within intimate pastoral līlā.
Cultivate a mood of humble offering—like the trees “bowing” with gifts—by using your talents and resources in devotional service and gratitude rather than pride.