Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

निषिध्यमाना: पतिभिर्भ्रातृभिर्बन्धुभि: सुतै: । भगवत्युत्तमश्लोके दीर्घश्रुतधृताशया: ॥ २० ॥ यमुनोपवनेऽशोकनवपल्लवमण्डिते । विचरन्तं वृतं गोपै: साग्रजं दद‍ृशु: स्त्रिय: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

niṣidhyamānāḥ patibhir bhrātṛbhir bandhubhiḥ sutaiḥ bhagavaty uttama-śloke dīrgha-śruta-dhṛtāśayāḥ

Translation

Along the Yamunā, in a grove adorned with fresh aśoka buds, the women beheld Śrī Kṛṣṇa strolling, surrounded by the cowherd boys and accompanied by His elder brother, Balarāma.

Synonyms

• यमुना-उपवने: in the grove of the Yamunā
• यमुना-उपवने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यमुना + उपवन (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यमुनायाः उपवनम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Neuter, Locative, Singular)

• अशोक-नव-पल्लव-मण्डिते: adorned with fresh aśoka shoots
• अशोक-नव-पल्लव-मण्डिते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशोक + नव + पल्लव + मण्डित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्ताधारित); समासः
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अशोकस्य नवपल्लवैः मण्डितम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Neuter, Locative, Singular) — उपवने इति विशेषणम्

• विचरन्तम्: wandering / moving about
• विचरन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-चर् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले परस्मैपदी शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• वृतम्: surrounded
• वृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Accusative, Singular) — विचरन्तम् इति विशेषणम्

• गोपैः: by cowherd boys
• गोपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Masculine, Instrumental, Plural)

• स-अग्रजम्: together with (His) elder brother
• स-अग्रजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + अग्रज (प्रातिपदिक); समासः
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष/सह-समास (अग्रजेन सह); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचनम् (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• ददृशुः: they saw
• ददृशुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचनम् (3rd person plural)

• स्त्रियः: the women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचनम् (Feminine, Nominative, Plural)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Brāhmaṇas’ wives

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about steadfast devotion despite family opposition?

This verse shows that deep śravaṇa (long hearing about Kṛṣṇa) gives devotees unshakable hope and resolve, even when relatives forbid their devotional action.

Why were the brāhmaṇas’ wives restrained by their husbands and family members?

In the narrative, social and ritual expectations made their families oppose them leaving home to approach Kṛṣṇa, yet their devotion—nurtured by hearing His glories—overruled fear and restriction.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Regularly hear and study Kṛṣṇa’s teachings and līlās; that inner conviction helps one stay steady in spiritual practice even amid external pressure or discouragement.