Shloka 2

Kṛṣṇa Visits Trivakrā; Akrūra’s Praise and the Hastināpura Mission

Devanagari script

महार्होपस्करैराढ्यं कामोपायोपबृंहितम् । मुक्तादामपताकाभिर्वितानशयनासनै: । धूपै: सुरभिभिर्दीपै: स्रग्गन्धैरपि मण्डितम् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

mahārhopaskarair āḍhyaṁ kāmopāyopabṛṁhitam muktā-dāma-patākābhir vitāna-śayanāsanaiḥ dhūpaiḥ surabhibhir dīpaiḥ srag-gandhair api maṇḍitam

Translation

Trivakrā’s home was lavish with costly furnishings and filled with sensual arrangements meant to kindle desire. It was adorned with strings of pearls and banners, canopies, fine beds and seats, and also fragrant incense, lamps, flower garlands, and sandalwood aroma.

Synonyms

• महा-अर्ह-उपस्करैः: with very valuable furnishings
• महा-अर्ह-उपस्करैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक) + उपस्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; कर्मधारय-समासः (महान्तः अर्हाः उपस्कराः)

• आढ्यम्: rich, opulent
• आढ्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; (गृहं) विशेषणम्

• काम-उपाय-उपबृंहितम्: augmented by amorous arrangements
• काम-उपाय-उपबृंहितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + उपाय (प्रातिपदिक) + उपबृंहित (कृदन्त; उप-√बृंह्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः (कामस्य उपायैः उपबृंहितम् = enhanced by means of love)

• मुक्ता-दाम-पताकाभिः: with pearl-strings, garlands, and banners
• मुक्ता-दाम-पताकाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ता (प्रातिपदिक) + दाम (प्रातिपदिक) + पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Feminine, Instrumental, Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (मुक्ताश्च दामानि च पताकाश्च)

• वितान-शयन-आसनैः: with canopies, beds, and seats
• वितान-शयन-आसनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वितान (प्रातिपदिक) + शयन (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Neuter, Instrumental, Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (वितानानि शयनानि आसनानि च)

• धूपैः: with incense
• धूपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सुरभिभिः: fragrant
• सुरभिभिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुरभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Instrumental, Plural; (धूपैः) विशेषणम्

• दीपैः: with lamps
• दीपैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• स्रक्-गन्धैः: with garlands and perfumes
• स्रक्-गन्धैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज्/स्रक् (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन — Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (स्रजश्च गन्धाश्च)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक अव्यय (particle: ‘also/even’)

• मण्डितम्: decorated/adorned
• मण्डितम्: Karma (कर्म; वर्णनात्मक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मण्ड् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Accusative, Singular; (गृहं) विशेषणम्

Purport

According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the sensual accoutrements in Trivakrā’s house included explicit sexual pictures. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that her paraphernalia included herbal aphrodisiacs. It is not hard to guess Trivakrā’s intention, yet Lord Kṛṣṇa went there to save her from material existence.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Balarāma
• Akrūra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests and devotees?

This verse depicts an elaborately prepared, fragrant, well-lit, and beautifully furnished setting—showing that honoring a respected guest/devotee includes thoughtful comfort, cleanliness, and devotional offerings like lamps, incense, and garlands.

Why is opulence described in Krishna’s Mathura pastimes (Canto 10, Chapter 48)?

Śukadeva describes the opulent arrangements to highlight the royal setting of Mathurā and the careful reception given in Kṛṣṇa’s presence—demonstrating respect, culture, and the devotional mood expressed through service and hospitality.

How can I apply the message of this shloka in modern devotional life?

Create a clean, welcoming space for worship and for guests—offer simple versions of lamps, incense, and flowers with sincerity, emphasizing attentive service (seva) over display.