Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 39

Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat

Devanagari script

निचीयमानो नारीभिर्माल्यदध्यक्षताङ्कुरै: । निरीक्ष्यमाण: सस्‍नेहं प्रीत्युत्कलितलोचनै: ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

nicīyamāno nārībhir mālya-dadhy-akṣatāṅkuraiḥ nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ sa-snehaṁ prīty-utkalita-locanaiḥ

Translation

The women of the city gazed upon the Lord with affection, their eyes wide with love, and they showered Him with flower garlands, yogurt, akṣata rice, parched rice, and freshly sprouted shoots.

Synonyms

• nicīyamānaḥ: being piled/strewn (upon)
• nicīyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-cī (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्/आन), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मणि/मध्यभाव (being heaped/strewn upon)

• nārībhiḥ: by women
• nārībhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• mālya-dadhi-akṣata-aṅkuraiḥ: with garlands, curd, unbroken grains (rice), and sprouts
• mālya-dadhi-akṣata-aṅkuraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālya (प्रातिपदिक) + dadhi (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣata (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective set of offerings)

• nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ: being gazed upon
• nirīkṣyamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्/आन), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मणि (being looked at)

• sa-sneham: affectionately
• sa-sneham: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + sneha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) = स्नेहेन सह/स्नेहपूर्वकम्

• prītyā: with love
• prītyā: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; हेतौ/भावे (by/with love)

• utkalita-locanaiḥ: with eyes widened/brightened (in joy)
• utkalita-locanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utkalita (कृदन्त; √kal, धातु) + locana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः; (qualifying nārībhiḥ)

Purport

All this is taking place as Lord Kṛṣṇa enters the city of Mathurā.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Women of Mathurā (nārīḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering auspicious items like akshata and curd to Krishna?

This verse shows devotees welcoming Kṛṣṇa by showering Him with auspicious offerings—garlands, curd, unbroken rice, and sprouts—expressing reverence and loving bhakti through traditional signs of blessing.

Why are the women described as looking at Krishna with widened, love-filled eyes?

Śukadeva describes their darśana-bhakti: seeing Kṛṣṇa awakens intense affection and joy, so their eyes naturally widen and fill with loving emotion as they behold Him.

Practical application of this shloka’s teaching in modern life?

Welcome the Divine with tangible, sincere acts—simple offerings, gratitude, and attentive remembrance—and cultivate “loving attention” (sa-sneham) in worship rather than mere ritual.