Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28

Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

अन्येभ्यश्चाश्वचाण्डालपतितेभ्यो यथार्हत: । यवसं च गवां दत्त्वा गिरये दीयतां बलि: ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

anyebhyaś cāśva-cāṇḍāla- patitebhyo yathārhataḥ yavasaṁ ca gavāṁ dattvā giraye dīyatāṁ baliḥ

Translation

After giving suitable food to all others, even to the fallen such as dogs and dog-eaters, give grass to the cows, and then reverently offer the bali to Govardhana Hill.

Synonyms

• अन्येभ्यः: to others
• अन्येभ्यः: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया? (न) — चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन; pronominal adjective used substantively

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अश्व-चाण्डाल-पतितेभ्यः: to the horsemen, outcastes, and fallen persons
• अश्व-चाण्डाल-पतितेभ्यः: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + चाण्डाल (प्रातिपदिक) + पतित (कृदन्त; पत् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (enumerative): अश्वाः च चाण्डालाः च पतिताः च → ‘अश्वचाण्डालपतिताः’

• यथा-अर्हतः: as appropriate
• यथा-अर्हतः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + अर्हत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययार्थे (adverbial): ‘as is proper/according to eligibility’

• यवसम्: fodder/grass
• यवसम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यवस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गवाम्: of the cows
• गवाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), ‘having given’

• गिरये: to the mountain
• गिरये: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन

• दीयताम्: let (it) be given
• दीयताम्: विधेय (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative/लोट्), कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person/प्रथम), एकवचन; ‘let it be given’

• बलिः: offering/tribute
• बलिः: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Govardhana Hill
• cows (go)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 10.24.28 say about Govardhana Puja?

It instructs that after properly distributing shares and feeding the cows, an offering (bali) should be given to Govardhana Hill—highlighting worship centered on Krishna’s pastoral dharma.

Why did Krishna instruct the Vrajavasis to give shares even to the outcastes and the fallen?

Krishna emphasizes orderly, dharmic distribution—acknowledging social and living beings around Vraja—so the community’s worship is complete, responsible, and compassionate rather than narrow or neglectful.

How can devotees apply the message of this verse in modern life?

Practice inclusive charity and responsible distribution, prioritize care for cows/animals and nature, and make offerings with gratitude—turning worship into tangible service (seva) rather than mere ritual.