Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 8
Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya
उपस्थायार्कमुद्यन्तं तर्पयित्वात्मन: कला: । देवानृषीन् पितॄन्वृद्धान्विप्रानभ्यर्च्य चात्मवान् ॥ ७ ॥ धेनूनां रुक्मशृङ्गीनां साध्वीनां मौक्तिकस्रजाम् । पयस्विनीनां गृष्टीनां सवत्सानां सुवाससाम् ॥ ८ ॥ ददौ रूप्यखुराग्राणां क्षौमाजिनतिलै: सह । अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ॥ ९ ॥
upasthāyārkam udyantaṁ tarpayitvātmanaḥ kalāḥ devān ṛṣīn pitṝn vṛddhān viprān abhyarcya cātmavān
Each day the Lord worshiped the rising sun and offered tarpaṇa to the demigods, sages, and forefathers—who are all expansions of Himself. Self-possessed, He then carefully honored His elders and the brāhmaṇas. To the well-adorned brāhmaṇas He bestowed herds of gentle, peaceful cows, their horns plated with gold and their necks garlanded with pearls; they were draped in fine cloth, and the fronts of their hooves were plated with silver. Abundant in milk, each had calved only once and came with her calf. Daily the Lord gave the learned brāhmaṇas many groups of 13,084 cows, together with linen, deerskins, and sesame seeds.
Śrīdhara Svāmī quotes several Vedic scriptures to show that in the context of Vedic ritual, a badva here refers to 13,084 cows. The words badvaṁ badvaṁ dine dine indicate that Lord Kṛṣṇa would give the learned brāhmaṇas many such groups of cows on a daily basis. Śrīdhara Svāmī further gives evidence that the usual practice for great saintly kings in previous ages was to give 107 such badva, or groups of 13,084 cows. Thus the total number of cows given in this sacrifice, known as Mañcāra, is 14 lakhs, or 1,400,000.
FAQs
This passage shows Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself worshiping the devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, elders, and brāhmaṇas, teaching that reverence and service to worthy recipients is essential dharma.
As the ideal king and householder, Kṛṣṇa practiced daily charity (dāna) and honored brāhmaṇas, sustaining sacred culture and demonstrating self-controlled, compassionate leadership.
One can practice regular giving—supporting genuine spiritual education, caring for cows/animal welfare, feeding others, and offering resources respectfully to those who uphold knowledge and service.