Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

तमुपागतमाकर्ण्य प्रीतो दुर्दर्शनं नृणाम् । अजातशत्रुर्निरगात् सोपध्याय: सुहृद्‌वृत: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

tam upāgatam ākarṇya prīto durdarśanaṁ nṛnām ajāta-śatrur niragāt sopadhyāyaḥ suhṛd-vṛtaḥ

Translation

Hearing that the Lord—so rarely seen by mortals—had arrived, King Yudhiṣṭhira (Ajātaśatru) rejoiced; accompanied by his priests and dear companions, he came out to welcome Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); pronoun (सर्वनाम)

• upāgatam: arrived
• upāgatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + gam (धातु)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (क्त/कृत), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; ‘having come/arrived’

• ākarṇya: having heard
• ākarṇya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + karṇ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्), ‘having heard’

• prītaḥ: pleased
• prītaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjective (विशेषण) ‘pleased’

• durdarśanam: hard to behold
• durdarśanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur + darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective used predicatively; ‘difficult-to-see’

• nṛṇām: of men
• nṛṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ajāta-śatruḥ: Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira)
• ajāta-śatruḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajāta + śatru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; bahuvrīhi ‘one whose enemy is not born’ (epithet of Yudhiṣṭhira)

• niragāt: went out; came forth
• niragāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir + gam (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (Aorist/लुङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• sa-upadhyāyaḥ: together with (his) preceptor
• sa-upadhyāyaḥ: Sahakāraka (सह/साकं)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह) + upadhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; avyayībhāva ‘with the teacher/preceptor’ (सह-समास)

• suhṛt-vṛtaḥ: surrounded by friends
• suhṛt-vṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suhṛt + vṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; past participial adjective ‘surrounded by friends’; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष sense (सুহृद्भिः वृतः)

Characters & Entities

• Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira)
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how a devotee should welcome Krishna?

This verse shows Yudhiṣṭhira joyfully going out to receive Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by priests and friends—teaching reverent, heartfelt hospitality toward the Lord.

Why did King Yudhishthira (Ajatashatru) personally come out to receive Krishna?

Because he heard Kṛṣṇa had arrived and felt deep delight; as a dharmic, devoted king, he honored the Lord by personally welcoming Him rather than waiting inside.

Practical application of this verse in modern life—how can I apply it?

Cultivate eagerness and respect when receiving saintly persons or engaging in worship—prepare yourself, involve your community, and welcome the Lord through sincere service.