Shloka 40

The Appearance of Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) and the Divine Exchange with Yoga-māyā

Devanagari script

गते मयि युवां लब्ध्वा वरं मत्सद‍ृशं सुतम् । ग्राम्यान् भोगानभुञ्जाथां युवां प्राप्तमनोरथौ ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

gate mayi yuvāṁ labdhvā varaṁ mat-sadṛśaṁ sutam grāmyān bhogān abhuñjāthāṁ yuvāṁ prāpta-manorathau

Translation

After receiving that boon and after I disappeared, you united as husband and wife to obtain a son like Me, and your desire was fulfilled.

Synonyms

• gate: when (I) had gone
• gate: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gam (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, सप्तमी (7th, locative), एकवचन (sg), पुंलिङ्ग (masc) — ‘when (I) had gone’

• mayi: in me / with regard to me
• mayi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun), सप्तमी (7th, locative), एकवचन (sg)

• yuvām: you two
• yuvām: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun), प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (dual)

• labdhvā: having obtained
• labdhvā: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: labh (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having obtained’

• varam: a boon
• varam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (sg)

• mat-sadṛśam: like me
• mat-sadṛśam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mat (asmad-षष्ठी ‘my’) + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (genitive relation), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (sg)

• sutam: a son
• sutam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (sg)

• grāmyān: worldly
• grāmyān: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: grāmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन (pl)

• bhogān: enjoyments
• bhogān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc), द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन (pl)

• abhuñjāthām: you two enjoyed
• abhuñjāthām: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhuj (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), द्विवचन (dual), आत्मनेपद

• yuvām: you two
• yuvām: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun), प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (dual)

• prāpta-manorathau: having attained (your) desired aims
• prāpta-manorathau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāpta (√āp धातु + kta) + manoratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (‘whose desires are attained’), पुंलिङ्ग (masc), प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (dual)

Purport

According to the Sanskrit dictionary Amara-kośa, sex life is also called grāmya-dharma, material desire, but in spiritual life this grāmya-dharma, the material desire for sex, is not very much appreciated. If one has a tinge of attachment for the material enjoyments of eating, sleeping, mating and defending, one is not niṣkiñcana. But one really should be niṣkiñcana. Therefore, one should be free from the desire to beget a child like Kṛṣṇa by sexual enjoyment. This is indirectly hinted at in this verse.

Characters & Entities

• Vasudeva
• Devaki
• Lord Vishnu

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 10.3.40 say about the boon given to Devaki and Vasudeva?

It states that after the Lord departs, Devaki and Vasudeva will receive the boon of a son equal to Him, and having fulfilled their desire, they will enjoy worldly household comforts.

Why did Lord Vishnu speak this promise to Devaki and Vasudeva in Canto 10 Chapter 3?

In the birth narrative, the Lord appears to reassure His devotees Devaki and Vasudeva, granting them a divine benediction and confirming His protection and favor upon them.

What is the practical application of this verse for modern devotees living a family life?

It teaches that sincere devotion can invite divine guidance and blessings, and that household life can be lived with gratitude and dharma after one’s heartfelt prayers are fulfilled.