Shloka 34

The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire

Devanagari script

पत्रपुष्पफलच्छायामूलवल्कलदारुभि: । गन्धनिर्यासभस्मास्थितोक्मै: कामान्वितन्वते ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

patra-puṣpa-phala-cchāyā- mūla-valkala-dārubhiḥ gandha-niryāsa-bhasmāsthi- tokmaiḥ kāmān vitanvate

Translation

These trees fulfill one’s desires with their leaves, flowers and fruits; with their shade, roots, bark and wood; and also with their fragrance, sap, ashes, pulp and tender shoots.

Synonyms

• पत्र-पुष्प-फल-छाया-मूल-वल्कल-दारुभिः: with leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark, and wood
• पत्र-पुष्प-फल-छाया-मूल-वल्कल-दारुभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक) + छाया (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक) + वल्कल (प्रातिपदिक) + दारु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसक/स्त्री-समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective dvandva), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• गन्ध-निर्यास-भस्म-अस्थि-तोक्मैः: with fragrance, resin/sap, ash, bones, and sprouts/seeds
• गन्ध-निर्यास-भस्म-अस्थि-तोक्मैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्यास (प्रातिपदिक) + भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्थि (प्रातिपदिक) + तोक्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective dvandva), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कामान्: desires, needs
• कामान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वितन्वते: they extend, provide, bestow
• वितन्वते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वितन् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about learning selflessness from nature?

This verse teaches that trees give everything—shade, fruits, wood, even remnants like ash—showing the ideal of living for others without selfish expectation.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe trees giving so many things in Canto 10 Chapter 22?

In the flow of Kṛṣṇa’s Vraja-līlā, Śukadeva highlights Vraja’s sacred atmosphere and uses nature as a moral-spiritual example: true virtue is to benefit others, as the residents of Vṛndāvana (and even its trees) naturally do.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Cultivate a “tree-like” mindset: offer practical help, share resources, and support others consistently—without demanding recognition—turning daily life into seva and bhakti in action.