Shloka 16

The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance

Devanagari script

कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने । प्रणतक्लेशनाशाय गोविन्दाय नमो नम: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ

Translation

Again and again we bow to Lord Kṛṣṇa—Hari, son of Vasudeva—Govinda, the Supreme Soul, who destroys the suffering of those who surrender to Him.

Synonyms

• kṛṣṇāya: to Krishna
• kṛṣṇāya: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• vāsudevāya: to Vasudeva (son of Vasudeva)
• vāsudevāya: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsudeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• haraye: to Hari
• haraye: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• paramātmane: to the Supreme Soul
• paramātmane: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya: to the destroyer of the suffering of those who surrender
• praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇata-kleśa-nāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular. Lit: To the destroyer of distress of the bowed.

• govindāya: to Govinda
• govindāya: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: govinda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• namaḥ: obeisance/salutations
• namaḥ: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (अव्यय)
• Form: Noun used as Interjection

• namaḥ: obeisance
• namaḥ: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (अव्यय)
• Form: Repetition for emphasis

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Vāsudeva
• Hari
• Paramātmā
• Govinda

FAQs

What is the meaning of 'praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya' in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

It means that Lord Kṛṣṇa destroys the miseries (kleśa) of those who bow down and surrender to Him (praṇata).

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī glorify Kṛṣṇa as Vāsudeva, Hari, and Paramātmā in this verse?

These names highlight Kṛṣṇa’s complete divinity—His personal form (Kṛṣṇa/Vāsudeva), His power to remove sin and distress (Hari), and His presence as the indwelling Supreme Soul (Paramātmā).

How can this verse be applied in modern life for peace and resilience?

By practicing humble surrender—regular prayer, remembrance of Kṛṣṇa’s names, and seeking refuge in Him during anxiety—one cultivates inner steadiness and relief from distress.