Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

संसिक्तवर्त्म करिणां मदगन्धतोयै- श्चित्रध्वजै: कनकतोरणपूर्णकुम्भै: । मृष्टात्मभिर्नवदुकूलविभूषणस्रग्- गन्धैर्नृभिर्युवतिभिश्च विराजमानम् ॥ ३१ ॥ उद्दीप्तदीपबलिभि: प्रतिसद्मजाल- निर्यातधूपरुचिरं विलसत्पताकम् । मूर्धन्यहेमकलशै रजतोरुश‍ृङ्गै- र्जुष्टं ददर्श भवनै: कुरुराजधाम ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

saṁsikta-vartma kariṇāṁ mada-gandha-toyaiś citra-dhvajaiḥ kanaka-toraṇa-pūrṇa-kumbhaiḥ mṛṣṭātmabhir nava-dukūla-vibhūṣaṇa-srag- gandhair nṛbhir yuvatibhiś ca virājamānam

Translation

The roads of Indraprastha were sprinkled with fragrant water scented by the ichor flowing from elephants’ foreheads, and the city’s splendor was heightened by colorful flags, golden gateways, and brimming waterpots. Men and young girls shone in fine new garments, adorned with ornaments and flower garlands, and anointed with sandalwood fragrance. In every home lamps blazed and respectful offerings were set out, while incense drifted through latticed windows, beautifying all the more. Banners waved, and the rooftops were crowned with golden domes upon broad silver bases. Thus Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa beheld the royal city of the Kuru king.

Synonyms

• uddīpta-dīpa-balibhiḥ: with blazing lamps and offerings
• uddīpta-dīpa-balibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uddīpta (कृदन्त; √dīp) + dīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘उद्दीप्ताः दीपाः बलयः च’ इत्यर्थे समाहार-निर्देशः

• prati-sadma-jāla: in every house-complex / throughout the houses
• prati-sadma-jāla: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prati (अव्यय) + sadman (प्रातिपदिक) + jāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; ‘प्रति सद्म’ = ‘प्रत्येक-गृहे’ (in each house) + jāla (network) as compound base; here used as locative sense adverbially

• niryāta-dhūpa-ruciram: beautiful with incense wafting out
• niryāta-dhūpa-ruciram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niryāta (कृदन्त; √yā ‘to go out’) + dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + rucira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘निर्यातः धूपः’ (issuing incense) यस्य तत्; rucira = beautiful

• vilasat-patākam: having fluttering banners
• vilasat-patākam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-√las (धातु) → vilasat (कृदन्त; वर्तमानकृदन्त) + patākā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; ‘विलसन्त्यः पताकाः यस्मिन् तत्’

• mūrdhanya-hema-kalaśaiḥ: with golden finials on the rooftops
• mūrdhanya-hema-kalaśaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhanya (प्रातिपदिक) + hema (प्रातिपदिक) + kalaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘मूर्धनि स्थिताः हेम-कलशाः’

• rajata-uru-śṛṅgaiḥ: with large silver spires
• rajata-uru-śṛṅgaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajata (प्रातिपदिक) + uru (प्रातिपदिक) + śṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘रजत-उरु-शृङ्ग’ = large silver horns/spires

• juṣṭam: adorned, graced
• juṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √juṣ (धातु) → juṣṭa (कृदन्त; भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त—‘सेवितम्/शोभितम्’

• dadarśa: he saw
• dadarśa: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• bhavanaiḥ: with mansions/buildings
• bhavanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; ‘भवनैः’ = by/with buildings (as adornments)

• kuru-rāja-dhāma: the abode of the Kuru king (Hastināpura)
• kuru-rāja-dhāma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuru (प्रातिपदिक) + rāja (प्रातिपदिक) + dhāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; ‘कुरुराजस्य धाम’

Purport

Śrīla Prabhupāda adds in this connection: “Lord Kṛṣṇa thus entered the city of the Pāṇḍavas, enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere and slowly proceeded ahead.”

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Kuru king (Duryodhana)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about auspicious decorations like pūrṇa-kumbha and flags?

This verse portrays pūrṇa-kumbhas, banners, and golden archways as signs of welcome and auspiciousness, expressing reverence for the Lord and sanctifying a public celebration.

Why is Hastinapura described as so beautifully decorated in Canto 10 Chapter 71?

Because Krishna’s arrival prompts a royal reception; the city’s splendor reflects both political grandeur and devotional honor offered to the Supreme Lord.

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

Offer your best—cleanliness, beauty, and sincerity—when welcoming the divine through worship, festivals, and hosting devotees, making the environment sattvic and uplifting.