Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 17

Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā

Devanagari script

तेऽन्वेषमाणा दयितं कृष्णं सूचितया पदै: । भगवल्लक्षणैर्जग्मु: पदव्या यमुनातटम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

te ’nveṣamāṇā dayitaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ sūcitayā padaiḥ bhagaval-lakṣaṇair jagmuḥ padavyā yamunā-taṭam

Translation

The residents rushed to the bank of the Yamunā, searching for their dearmost Kṛṣṇa and following the path revealed by His footprints, marked with the unique signs of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Synonyms

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• अन्वेषमाणाः: searching
• अन्वेषमाणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-ईष्/एष् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा बहुवचनम्

• दयितम्: the beloved
• दयितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दयित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम्

• कृष्णम्: Krishna
• कृष्णम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्

• सूचितया: indicated (by)
• सूचितया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूचिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (पदैः इत्यस्य)

• पदैः: by the footprints/steps
• पदैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्

• भगवत्-लक्षणैः: by the divine marks
• भगवत्-लक्षणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भगवतः लक्षणानि)

• जग्मुः: went
• जग्मुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/Parokṣa) प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) बहुवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• पदव्या: by the path/track
• पदव्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पदवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया एकवचनम्

• यमुना-तटम्: the bank of the Yamunā
• यमुना-तटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यमुना + तट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (यमुनायाः तटम्)

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Yamuna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about recognizing Krishna through His footprints?

This verse says the devotees identified and followed Krishna by His footprints, which bear the distinctive marks (bhagavat-lakṣaṇa) of the Supreme Lord.

Why did the Vrajavasis go to the bank of the Yamuna while searching for Krishna?

They traced Krishna’s path by the signs in His footprints, and that trail led them to the Yamuna’s bank, where His pastime was unfolding.

Practical application of following Krishna’s 'footsteps' in modern life?

Seek Krishna by following clear spiritual indicators—scripture, saintly guidance, and devotional practices—just as the devotees followed the unmistakable signs leading to Him.