Shloka 15

The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti

Devanagari script

गत्वाथ पत्नीशालायां द‍ृष्ट्वासीना: स्वलङ्कृता: । नत्वा द्विजसतीर्गोपा: प्रश्रिता इदमब्रुवन् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

gatvātha patnī-śālāyāṁ dṛṣṭvāsīnāḥ sv-alaṅkṛtāḥ natvā dvija-satīr gopāḥ praśritā idam abruvan

Translation

The cowherd boys then went to the house where the brāhmaṇas’ wives were staying. There they saw those chaste ladies seated, beautifully adorned with fine ornaments. Bowing down to the brāhmaṇa wives, the boys spoke in all humility.

Synonyms

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), from √गम्; indeclinable verbal form (क्रियाविशेषण)

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connecting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), sequential connector

• patnī-śālāyām: in the wives’ quarters
• patnī-śālāyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patnī + śālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: ‘पत्नी-शाला’ = wives’ hall/house

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √दृश्

• āsīnān: (them) seated
• āsīnān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āsīna (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Present participle used adjectivally (शतृन्त), from √आस्; Feminine (स्त्री), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन) agreeing with ‘satīḥ/patnīḥ’ understood

• su-alaṅkṛtāḥ: well-adorned
• su-alaṅkṛtāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), from √अलङ्कृ; Feminine (स्त्री), Accusative (2nd), Plural; अव्ययीभाव: ‘सु-’ (well) + ‘अलङ्कृत’ (adorned)

• natvā: having bowed
• natvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), from √नम्

• dvija-satīḥ: the brāhmaṇa wives
• dvija-satīḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija + satī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; तत्पुरुष: ‘dvija-satī’ = chaste wives of brāhmaṇas

• gopāḥ: the cowherd boys
• gopāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gopa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• praśritāḥ: humbly
• praśritāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praśrita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), from √श्रि/श्रय् with prefix प्र-; Masculine (पुं), Nominative (1st), Plural; used as predicate adjective to ‘gopāḥ’ meaning humble/submissive

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Neuter (नपुंसक), Accusative (2nd), Singular

• abruvan: they said
• abruvan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Gopas (cowherd boys)
• Brāhmaṇa-patnīs (wives of the brāhmaṇas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the brāhmaṇas’ wives in Canto 10 Chapter 23?

This verse introduces how the cowherd boys approach the brāhmaṇas’ wives respectfully and humbly, setting the stage for the wives’ devotion to shine in contrast to ritualistic pride.

Why did the cowherd boys bow to the brāhmaṇas’ wives in this Bhagavatam verse?

They bowed because the wives are described as dvija-satī—chaste and respectable—showing proper Vaiṣṇava etiquette and humility before requesting help for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.

Practical application of humility from Bhagavatam 10.23.15 in modern life?

Approach others with respect and sincerity—especially when seeking assistance—because humility opens hearts and invites grace, while pride blocks genuine connection and service.