Shloka 11

Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s Forest Games and the Slaying of Pralamba

Devanagari script

गोपजातिप्रतिच्छन्ना देवा गोपालरूपिणौ । ईडिरे कृष्णरामौ च नटा इव नटं नृप ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

gopa-jāti-praticchannā devā gopāla-rūpiṇau īḍire kṛṣṇa-rāmau ca naṭā iva naṭaṁ nṛpa

Translation

O King, the demigods, disguised among the cowherd folk in the form of gopālas, worshiped Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—also appearing as cowherd boys—just as dancers praise another dancer.

Synonyms

• गोप-जाति-प्रतिच्छन्नाः: disguised as of the cowherd community
• गोप-जाति-प्रतिच्छन्नाः: विशेषण (Adjectival to ‘देवाः’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोप (प्रातिपदिक) + जाति (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिच्छन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; past passive participle ‘प्रतिच्छन्न’ (from छद् with प्रति-); ‘gopa-jāti’ as qualifier; ‘disguised/covered by cowherd caste’

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• गोपाल-रूपिणौ: in the form of cowherds
• गोपाल-रूपिणौ: विशेषण (Adjectival to ‘कृष्णरामौ’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोपाल (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; ‘having the form of cowherds’; रूपिन्-शब्द

• ईडिरे: praised / worshipped
• ईडिरे: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईड् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘they praised/worshipped’

• कृष्ण-रामौ: Krishna and Rama
• कृष्ण-रामौ: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः; Accusative dual

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• नटाः: actors / dancers
• नटाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• इव: as if / like
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Simile marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमा-सूचक (comparative particle)

• नटम्: an actor / dancer
• नटम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• नृप: O king
• नृप: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; Vocative singular

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Balarāma
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja
• Devas (demigods)

FAQs

Why do the demigods appear disguised as cowherds in Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse indicates the devas conceal themselves among the gopas to witness and glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s intimate Vraja pastimes without disturbing their sweet, humanlike play.

What is the meaning of the comparison “like actors praising an actor” in SB 10.18.11?

Śukadeva explains that just as performers appreciate a skilled performer, the devas—knowing Kṛṣṇa’s divine mastery—praise Him and Balarāma while they enact their enchanting Vraja-līlā.

How can a devotee apply the teaching of SB 10.18.11 in modern life?

Cultivate humble appreciation for the Lord’s presence and qualities in everyday life—quietly glorifying Kṛṣṇa without needing recognition, as the devas do while remaining concealed.