Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच संस्तूयमानो भगवान् राजभिर्मुक्तबन्धनै: । तानाह करुणस्तात शरण्य: श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca saṁstūyamāno bhagavān rājabhir mukta-bandhanaiḥ tān āha karuṇas tāta śaraṇyaḥ ślakṣṇayā girā

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the kings, freed from bondage, glorified the Bhagavān. Then, dear Parīkṣit, the merciful giver of shelter spoke to them in a gentle voice.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Shri Shukadeva
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular, Parasmaipada

• saṁstūyamānaḥ: being praised
• saṁstūyamānaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam + stu (धातु)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular. Present Passive Participle (Shanach)

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• rājabhiḥ: by the kings
• rājabhiḥ: Karta (Agent in passive sense/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• mukta-bandhanaiḥ: who were freed from bondage
• mukta-bandhanaiḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mukta-bandhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural. Lit: Those whose bonds are released

• tān: to them
• tān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• āha: spoke
• āha: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ah (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular, Parasmaipada

• karuṇaḥ: merciful
• karuṇaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tāta: my dear one
• tāta: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana), Singular

• śaraṇyaḥ: the protector/refuge
• śaraṇyaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ślakṣṇayā: gentle/sweet
• ślakṣṇayā: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślakṣṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• girā: with speech/words
• girā: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gir (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• King Parīkṣit
• Freed kings (rājāḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna as the giver of shelter (śaraṇya)?

This verse calls Kṛṣṇa “śaraṇya,” the one who grants refuge, showing that His nature is to protect and uplift those who seek or receive His shelter.

Why did Krishna speak gently to the freed kings in Canto 10 Chapter 73?

Because He is karuṇa (compassionate) and was responding to kings who had just been released from bondage; His gentle words reflect His merciful, reassuring protection after their suffering.

How can devotees apply Krishna’s “gentle speech” teaching in modern life?

By speaking truth with kindness—using words that heal, reassure, and guide—especially when others are vulnerable or recovering from hardship.