Shloka 37
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
यस्याङ्घ्रिपङ्कजरजोऽखिललोकपालै- र्मौल्युत्तमैर्धृतमुपासिततीर्थतीर्थम् । ब्रह्मा भवोऽहमपि यस्य कला: कलाया: श्रीश्चोद्वहेम चिरमस्य नृपासनं क्व ॥ ३७ ॥
yasyāṅghri-paṅkaja-rajo ’khila-loka-pālair mauly-uttamair dhṛtam upāsita-tīrtha-tīrtham brahmā bhavo ’ham api yasya kalāḥ kalāyāḥ śrīś codvahema ciram asya nṛpāsanaṁ kva
The dust of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet—sanctity itself for all holy places—is worshiped by all the guardians of the worlds, who bear it upon their finest crowns. Brahmā, Bhava (Śiva), and even I, and also Śrī Lakṣmī—mere portions of His spiritual being—carefully carry that dust upon our heads; and still, is Kṛṣṇa not worthy of royal insignia or even of the royal throne?
The above translation is based on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the place of pilgrimage especially referred to here is the Ganges River. The Ganges water is inundating the whole world, and since it is emanating from Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, its banks have turned into great places of pilgrimage.
FAQs
This verse says even the guardians of the worlds place the dust of Krishna’s lotus feet on their crowns, showing His feet are the highest tīrtha (holy place) and the supreme object of worship.
To establish Krishna’s supremacy: Brahmā, Śiva, and even the speaker himself are described as partial expansions, while Lakṣmī serves Him—therefore Krishna’s identity is beyond ordinary kingship.
By honoring Krishna as the ultimate shelter—placing devotion above status, power, or worldly roles—and by seeking purification through remembrance and worship of His lotus feet.