Shloka 6

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

Govindābhiṣeka

Devanagari script

पिता गुरुस्त्वं जगतामधीशोदुरत्यय: काल उपात्तदण्ड: । हिताय चेच्छातनुभि: समीहसेमानं विधुन्वन् जगदीशमानिनाम् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

pitā gurus tvaṁ jagatām adhīśo duratyayaḥ kāla upātta-daṇḍaḥ hitāya cecchā-tanubhiḥ samīhase mānaṁ vidhunvan jagad-īśa-māninām

Translation

You are the father and spiritual master of the entire universe, and its supreme ruler as well. You are insurmountable Time, bearing the rod of punishment, and for the sinner’s own good You administer chastisement. Indeed, in the incarnations You choose by Your own free will, You act decisively to shake away the false pride of those who presume themselves masters of this world.

Synonyms

• pitā: father
• pitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• guruḥ: teacher
• guruḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative, Singular (प्रथमा एकवचन)

• jagatām: of the worlds
• jagatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive, Plural (षष्ठी बहुवचन)

• adhīśaḥ: supreme ruler
• adhīśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhīśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• duratyayaḥ: hard to surpass
• duratyayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur-atyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; 'hard to overcome'

• kālaḥ: Time
• kālaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• upātta-daṇḍaḥ: wielding punishment
• upātta-daṇḍaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upātta (upa-√dā/दा, क्त) + daṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; तत्पुरुष: 'having taken up the rod (of punishment)'

• hitāya: for welfare
• hitāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक; √dhā/धा with नि, क्त)
• Form: Neuter, Dative, Singular (चतुर्थी एकवचन); purpose

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• icchā-tanubhiḥ: by (your) willed forms
• icchā-tanubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: icchā (प्रातिपदिक) + tanu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Plural (तृतीया बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'by (your) forms of will'

• samīhase: you endeavor; you act
• samīhase: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√īh (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd Person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular; ātmanepada

• mānam: pride
• mānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• vidhunvan: shaking off; dispelling
• vidhunvan: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√dhū (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with tvam

• jagad-īśa-māninām: of those who think themselves rulers of the world
• jagad-īśa-māninām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक) + mānin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural; तत्पुरुष: 'of those who consider themselves lords of the world'

Purport

The word hitāya is significant here. Lord Kṛṣṇa protects religion and chastises the wicked for the benefit of the entire universe. Foolish and faithless pseudopriests criticize God for punishing the living entities through the actions of nature. But whether Lord Kṛṣṇa punishes them indirectly through nature or directly in His incarnations, as mentioned here, He has a perfect right to do so because He is the father, spiritual master and supreme ruler of the entire universe. Another way He curbs down the false attempts of the conditioned souls to establish the kingdom of God without God is through His feature as insurmountable time. It is said, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” That is a fact, and it is actually the Lord’s mercy that He takes the trouble to rectify our misbehavior, although faithless persons criticize the Lord’s fatherly vigilance.

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Sri Krishna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pride and false ego in leadership?

This verse teaches that Krishna, as the supreme father and guru, removes the pride of those who think themselves independent controllers; Time itself acts as His instrument of correction.

Why did Indra say this to Krishna in Canto 10 Chapter 27?

After Krishna protected Vraja by lifting Govardhana and Indra’s storm failed, Indra realized his arrogance and offered prayers, acknowledging Krishna as the true Lord who humbles the proud for everyone’s welfare.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Recognize that power and position are temporary; practice humility, accept correction, and see setbacks as opportunities to reduce ego and align actions with service and the common good.