Shloka 28

Indra’s Prayers and the Coronation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Govinda

Govindābhiṣeka

Devanagari script

इति गोगोकुलपतिं गोविन्दमभिषिच्य स: । अनुज्ञातो ययौ शक्रो वृतो देवादिभिर्दिवम् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

iti go-gokula-patiṁ govindam abhiṣicya saḥ anujñāto yayau śakro vṛto devādibhir divam

Translation

Thus, after performing the ceremonial bathing (abhiṣeka) of Lord Govinda, master of the cows and of Gokula, Śakra (Indra) took the Lord’s permission and, surrounded by the devas and other exalted beings, returned to his heavenly abode.

Synonyms

• इति: thus
• इति: वाक्य-समाप्ति/उद्धरण (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• गो-गोकुल-पतिम्: the lord of the cows and Gokula
• गो-गोकुल-पतिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + गोकुल + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; tatpuruṣa chain ‘गवां गोकुलस्य पतिः’

• गोविन्दम्: Govinda
• गोविन्दम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; apposition to previous object

• अभिषिच्य: having anointed
• अभिषिच्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-षिच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund, ‘having anointed’); indeclinable verbal form

• सः: he (Indra)
• सः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; pronoun

• अनुज्ञातः: having been permitted / given leave
• अनुज्ञातः: कर्तृ-सम्बन्धि विशेषण (Predicate qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनु-ज्ञा (धातु) → अनुज्ञात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicate to ‘सः’

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; parasmaipada

• शक्रः: Śakra (Indra)
• शक्रः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; proper name (Indra)

• वृतः: surrounded
• वृतः: कर्तृ-सम्बन्धि विशेषण (Predicate qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु) → वृत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘surrounded/attended’

• देव-आदिभिः: by/with the gods and others
• देव-आदिभिः: करण/सह (Karaṇa/Instrument; also association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; ‘देवाः आदयः येषां ते’ (devas and others)

• दिवम्: to heaven
• दिवम्: कर्म (Karma/Goal as object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्/द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (द्यौः), द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to heaven’ as goal

Purport

Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Twenty-seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers.”

Characters & Entities

• Govinda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Śakra (Indra)
• Devas

FAQs

What is the meaning of Govinda Abhiṣeka in Srimad Bhagavatam?

It signifies the devas’ acknowledgment that Kṛṣṇa is the true protector and lord of Gokula and the cows; Indra ceremonially anoints Him and then returns to heaven after receiving permission.

Why did Indra go back to heaven after anointing Govinda?

After offering honor to Kṛṣṇa and completing the abhiṣeka, Indra takes leave (anujñāto) and departs with the devas, indicating his restored role under the Supreme Lord’s authority.

How can the lesson of this verse be applied in modern life?

It teaches humility after mistakes: recognize higher guidance, offer sincere respect, and return to one’s duties without ego—seeing success and power as subordinate to dharma and devotion.