Shloka 21

Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa

Devanagari script

तमागतमभिप्रेत्य मुनयो दीर्घसत्रिण: । अभिनन्द्य यथान्यायं प्रणम्योत्थाय चार्चयन् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

tam āgatam abhipretya munayo dīrgha-satriṇaḥ abhinandya yathā-nyāyaṁ praṇamyotthāya cārcayan

Translation

Recognizing the Lord upon His arrival, the sages—long engaged in the satra sacrifice—welcomed Him properly by rising, bowing down, and worshiping Him.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; pronoun ‘him’

• āgatam: having come / arrived
• āgatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā√gam (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; agreeing with tam

• abhipretya: having approached / having intended
• abhipretya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi√i (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्, absolutive)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having approached/considered’

• munayaḥ: the sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• dīrgha-satriṇaḥ: performers of long sacrificial sessions
• dīrgha-satriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīrgha (प्रातिपदिक) + satrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; munayaḥ-विशेषण; ‘long-session sacrificers’

• abhinandya: having welcomed
• abhinandya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi√nand (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्, absolutive)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having greeted’

• yathā-nyāyam: as is proper
• yathā-nyāyam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + nyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय; ‘according to rule/propriety’

• praṇamya: having bowed
• praṇamya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pra√nam (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्, absolutive)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having bowed’

• utthāya: having stood up
• utthāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ud√sthā (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्, absolutive)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having risen’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• arcayan: they worshipped / honored
• arcayan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arc (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘they worship’

Characters & Entities

• Munis (sages)
• Kṛṣṇa (implied as the honored arrival)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how to properly receive a holy guest or the Lord?

This verse highlights yathā-nyāyam—receiving with proper etiquette: offering obeisances, rising respectfully, welcoming words, and worshipful service.

Why did the sages worship the arriving person in Canto 10 Chapter 78?

They recognized he had come for the very purpose they desired, so they honored him in a dharmic way—bowing, standing up, and offering worship befitting his position.

Practical application: how can I follow this teaching in modern life?

Receive saints, teachers, and guests with humility—offer respectful greetings, attentive listening, and sincere service, keeping the mood of honor rather than entitlement.