Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

तान् समेत्याह भगवानक्रूरं जगदीश्वर: । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं प्रश्रितं प्रहसन्निव ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

tān sametyāha bhagavān akrūraṁ jagad-īśvaraḥ gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ praśritaṁ prahasann iva

Translation

After meeting with Nanda and the others, the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, ruler of the universe, took the humble Akrūra’s hand in His own and, smiling gently, spoke as follows.

Synonyms

• तान्: them
• तान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; pronoun ‘those’

• समेत्य: having approached
• समेत्य: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having approached/come together’

• आह: said
• आह: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्/ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अक्रूरम्: Akrūra
• अक्रूरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्रूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जगत्-ईश्वरः: Lord of the world
• जगत्-ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (जगतः ईश्वरः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गृहीत्वा: having taken
• गृहीत्वा: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having taken/held’

• पाणिना: with (his) hand
• पाणिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• पाणिम्: (Akrūra’s) hand
• पाणिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रश्रितम्: humble, submissive
• प्रश्रितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रश्रित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √श्रि/श्रय्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; qualifies ‘अक्रूरम्’

• प्रहसन्: smiling
• प्रहसन्: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + हस् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘smiling’ (as if)

• इव: as if
• इव: Sambandha/Upamā (सम्बन्ध/उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Akrūra

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about how Krishna treats His devotees?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa personally approaching Akrūra, holding his hand, and speaking with a gentle smile—indicating intimate affection and honor toward a humble devotee.

Why did Krishna take Akrura’s hand in Bhagavatam 10.41?

Kṛṣṇa’s gesture expresses welcome, reassurance, and respect for Akrūra’s humility and devotion, highlighting the Lord’s personal care for His devotees.

How can I apply the lesson of Bhagavatam 10.41.9 in modern life?

Cultivate humility like Akrūra and practice honoring sincere devotees; devotion grows when we approach others gently, respectfully, and with warmth.