Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 51

Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate

Devanagari script

सोऽपि वव्रेऽचलां भक्तिं तस्मिन्नेवाखिलात्मनि । तद्भ‍क्तेषु च सौहार्दं भूतेषु च दयां पराम् ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

so ’pi vavre ’calāṁ bhaktiṁ tasminn evākhilātmani tad-bhakteṣu ca sauhārdaṁ bhūteṣu ca dayāṁ parām

Translation

Sudāmā chose unshakable devotion to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Soul of all existence; affectionate friendship with His devotees; and exalted compassion for all living beings.

Synonyms

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), particle (emphasis/also)

• vavre: chose
• vavre: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛ (वृ) (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; ātmanepada; meaning: chose/asked for

• acalām: unwavering
• acalām: Karma-visheshana (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-calā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with bhaktim

• bhaktim: devotion
• bhaktim: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• tasmin: in him
• tasmin: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• eva: indeed/alone
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, emphatic particle (एव)

• akhila-ātmani: in the soul of all (the Supreme)
• akhila-ātmani: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akhila (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; tatpuruṣa: akhilasya ātmā (the Self of all)

• tad-bhakteṣu: among his devotees
• tad-bhakteṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम) + bhakta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; tatpuruṣa: tasya bhaktāḥ (his devotees)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction (समुच्चय)

• sauhārdam: friendliness
• sauhārdam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sauhārda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• bhūteṣu: toward beings
• bhūteṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• dayām: compassion
• dayām: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dayā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• parām: supreme
• parām: Karma-visheshana (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with dayām

Characters & Entities

• Akrūra
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Devotees of Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about unwavering devotion (acala-bhakti)?

This verse states that the ideal prayer is for acalā bhakti—steady devotion fixed in the Supreme Lord, the Self of all (akhilātmā), not diverted by circumstances.

Why does Akrura ask for friendship with devotees (tad-bhakteṣu sauhārdam)?

Because devotion matures through affectionate association with the Lord’s devotees; Akrura prays not only for love of Kṛṣṇa but also for harmonious, heartfelt goodwill toward those who serve Him.

How can I apply ‘compassion to all beings’ (bhūteṣu dayā) in modern life?

Practice non-harm, kindness, and service—seeing every being as related to the Lord—while cultivating devotion and respectful dealings with devotees.