Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

प्राहिणोत् पारिबर्हाणि वरवध्वोर्मुदा बल: । महाधनोपस्करेभरथाश्वनरयोषित: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

prāhiṇot pāribarhāṇi vara-vadhvor mudā balaḥ mahā-dhanopaskarebha- rathāśva-nara-yoṣitaḥ

Translation

Lord Balarāma then gladly sent the bride and groom splendid wedding gifts—great wealth and furnishings, along with elephants, chariots, horses, and male and female servants.

Synonyms

• प्राहिणोत्: sent
• प्राहिणोत्: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-हि (हि-धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; धातु: √हि (to send) उपसर्ग: प्र-

• पारिबर्हाणि: wedding gifts/bridal presents
• पारिबर्हाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पारिबर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• वरवध्वोः: of the bride
• वरवध्वोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर-वधू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय: वरा वधूः (the excellent bride)

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्/मुदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• बलः: Bala (Balarama)
• बलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (here: Balarāma)

• महाधन-उपस्कर-इभ-रथ-अश्व-नर-योषितः: (he) with great wealth, equipment, elephants, chariots, horses, men and women attendants
• महाधन-उपस्कर-इभ-रथ-अश्व-नर-योषितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा+धन+उपस्कर+इभ+रथ+अश्व+नर+योषित् (प्रातिपदिक-समाहार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ: 'महाधनं च उपस्कराः च इभाः च रथाः च अश्वाः च नराः च योषितः च' (collective list)

Characters & Entities

• Balarāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving gifts in a Vedic marriage?

This verse describes Balarāma sending pāribārhāṇi—traditional wedding gifts—showing joy, generosity, and social dharma through abundant wealth, valuables, and attendants for the couple.

Why did Balarama send lavish wedding gifts to the bride and groom?

Within the narrative, Balarāma acts as an ideal elder and kinsman, honoring the marriage alliance and blessing the couple through auspicious gifts, reflecting dharmic conduct among the Yādavas.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Celebrate sacred milestones with sincerity and generosity—supporting family and community in a way that uplifts others, without envy and with a joyful, dharmic spirit.