Shloka 12

Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla

Devanagari script

ततस्ते देवयजनं ब्राह्मणा: स्वर्णलाङ्गलै: । कृष्ट्वा तत्र यथाम्नायं दीक्षयां चक्रिरे नृपम् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

tatas te deva-yajanaṁ brāhmaṇāḥ svarṇa-lāṅgalaiḥ kṛṣṭvā tatra yathāmnāyaṁ dīkṣayāṁ cakrire nṛpam

Translation

The brāhmaṇa priests then plowed the sacrificial ground with golden plowshares and, in accord with authorized tradition, initiated King Yudhiṣṭhira for the yajña.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: Then
• tataḥ: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• te: They
• te: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• deva-yajanaṁ: Sacrificial ground
• deva-yajanaṁ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva-yajana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• brāhmaṇāḥ: Brahmins
• brāhmaṇāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• svarṇa-lāṅgalaiḥ: With golden plows
• svarṇa-lāṅgalaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svarṇa-lāṅgala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• kṛṣṭvā: Having plowed
• kṛṣṭvā: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Gerund/Absolutive)

• tatra: There
• tatra: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of place

• yathā-āmnāyaṁ: According to scripture/tradition
• yathā-āmnāyaṁ: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathāmnāyam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverbial Compound

• dīkṣayāṁ: Initiated (part 1)
• dīkṣayāṁ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dīkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Component of Periphrastic Perfect

• cakrire: Did (Initiated - part 2)
• cakrire: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect/लिट्), Atmanepada, 3rd Person, Plural

• nṛpam: The King
• nṛpam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about dīkṣā (initiation) before a yajña?

This verse states that the brāhmaṇas initiated the king in accordance with Vedic injunctions, showing that a sacrifice is begun only after proper dīkṣā and ritual preparation.

Why did the brāhmaṇas plough the sacrificial ground with golden ploughs in the Rājasūya yajña?

The verse highlights the royal grandeur and sanctity of the Rājasūya: the arena was ritually prepared (ploughed) and adorned in a way befitting a major Vedic sacrifice.

Practical application of Vedic order and preparation in modern devotional life?

The shloka emphasizes doing sacred acts with proper method and reverence—today, that can mean disciplined sādhana, guidance from qualified teachers, and careful observance of devotional principles.