Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

ततश्च भारतं वर्षं परीत्य सुसमाहित: । चरित्वा द्वादश मासांस्तीर्थस्‍नायी विशुध्यसि ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

tataś ca bhārataṁ varṣaṁ parītya su-samāhitaḥ caritvā dvādaśa-māsāṁs tīrtha-snāyī viśudhyasi

Translation

Thereafter, for twelve months, You should circumambulate the land of Bhārata in a mood of serious meditation, executing austerities and bathing at various holy pilgrimage sites. In this way You will become purified.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (अव्यय), ‘then/thereafter/from there’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक निपात)

• bhāratam: Bhārata (Indian)
• bhāratam: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhārata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with varṣam

• varṣam: land/region
• varṣam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• parītya: having traversed
• parītya: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari√i (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (ल्यप्-कृदन्त, अव्ययभाव), ‘having gone around/traversed’

• su-samāhitaḥ: well-composed, fully attentive
• su-samāhitaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + samāhita (सम्-आ-√dhā धातु + kta)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त) with intensifier su-; ‘well-composed/concentrated’

• caritvā: having performed
• caritvā: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: car (धातु) + ktvā (क्त्वा)
• Form: Absolutive/gerund (क्त्वा-कृदन्त, अव्ययभाव), ‘having practiced/undertaken’

• dvādaśa: twelve
• dvādaśa: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvādaśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral adjective (संख्यावाचक), indeclinable-like in form here; qualifies māsān

• māsān: months
• māsān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tīrtha-snāyī: bathing at sacred fords
• tīrtha-snāyī: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + snāyin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); उपपद-तत्पुरुष: tīrthe snāyī (‘one who bathes at holy places’)

• viśudhyasi: you become purified
• viśudhyasi: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√śudh (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Purport

Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out that the word viśudhyasi means that Lord Balarāma would achieve spotless fame by setting such a perfect example for the people in general.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) for purification?

This verse states that traveling throughout Bhārata-varṣa with a composed mind and bathing in sacred tīrthas for a year brings purification.

Why did Kṛṣṇa instruct a year-long pilgrimage in this context?

Within the Syamantaka-related narrative, Kṛṣṇa indicates a dhārmic process of atonement and cleansing—undertaken with mental discipline—so the person involved may become purified and socially/spiritually restored.

What is the practical application of this verse in modern life?

Combine outer spiritual practices (pilgrimage, sacred visits, vows) with inner steadiness (susamāhitaḥ): intentional time for sādhana, self-reflection, and disciplined living to cleanse habits and conscience.