Shloka 15

Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha

Devanagari script

नृवाजिकाञ्चनशिबिकाभिरच्युतं सहात्मजा: पतिमनु सुव्रता ययु: । वराम्बराभरणविलेपनस्रज: सुसंवृता नृभिरसिचर्मपाणिभि: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

nṛ-vāji-kāñcana-śibikābhir acyutaṁ sahātmajāḥ patim anu su-vratā yayuḥ varāmbarābharaṇa-vilepana-srajaḥ su-saṁvṛtā nṛbhir asi-carma-pāṇibhiḥ

Translation

Lord Acyuta’s faithful queens, together with their children, followed their Lord on golden palanquins carried by powerful men. Adorned with fine garments, ornaments, fragrant oils, and flower garlands, they were guarded on all sides by soldiers holding swords and shields.

Synonyms

• नृ-वाजी-काञ्चन-शिबिकाभिः: by golden palanquins (with men/horse-bearers)
• नृ-वाजी-काञ्चन-शिबिकाभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक) + वाजी (प्रातिपदिक) + काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक) + शिबिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (नृवाजिभिः काञ्चनशिबिकाभिः = ‘golden palanquins (borne) by men and horses’—समूहवाचक)

• अच्युतम्: Acyuta (Krishna)
• अच्युतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सह-आत्मजाः: together with (their) children
• सह-आत्मजाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सह (अव्यय) + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव (सह आत्मजैः/with their children)

• पतिम्: husband, lord
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अनु: following
• अनु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनु (अव्यय)
• Form: उपसर्ग/अव्यय; ‘after, following’ (postposition-like)

• सु-व्रताः: virtuous women (of good vows)
• सु-व्रताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (सुन्दरं व्रतं यस्याः)

• ययुः: went
• ययुः: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• वर-अम्बर-आभरण-विलेपन-स्रजः: (wearing) fine garments, ornaments, unguents, and garlands
• वर-अम्बर-आभरण-विलेपन-स्रजः: Visheshana (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + आभरण (प्रातिपदिक) + विलेपन (प्रातिपदिक) + स्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (श्रेष्ठाम्बराणि, आभरणानि, विलेपनानि, स्रजः) — अलङ्कारसमूह

• सु-संवृताः: well-guarded
• सु-संवृताः: Visheshana (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + सम्-वृत् (धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (well-covered/closely guarded)

• नृभिः: by men
• नृभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• असि-चर्म-पाणिभिः: by men holding swords and shields
• असि-चर्म-पाणिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असि (प्रातिपदिक) + चर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (असिश्च चर्म च पाणौ येषां ते) — बहुव्रीह्यर्थे विशेषणप्रयोग

Purport

According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the word vāji indicates that some of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s queens were transported by horse-drawn conveyances.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta)
• Kṛṣṇa's queens
• Kṛṣṇa's sons

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s queens in Canto 10?

This verse describes Kṛṣṇa’s queens as suvratāḥ—devoted and faithful—accompanying Him with their sons in a dignified royal procession, adorned and respectfully protected.

Why are Kṛṣṇa’s queens described with ornaments, garlands, and protection by guards?

The description highlights the royal setting of Kṛṣṇa’s journey and the proper etiquette of a king’s household—splendor, dignity, and security—while they accompany the Lord in His public pastime.

Practical application of devotion (suvratā) in modern life?

Suvratā implies steadiness in one’s vows—remaining consistent in bhakti practices (japa, prayer, service) and choosing conduct that supports devotion, even amid worldly responsibilities.