Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 18

The Departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa from Hastināpura

Devanagari script

उद्धव: सात्यकिश्चैव व्यजने परमाद्भुते । विकीर्यमाण: कुसुमै रेजे मधुपति: पथि ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

uddhavaḥ sātyakiś caiva vyajane paramādbhute vikīryamāṇaḥ kusumai reje madhu-patiḥ pathi

Translation

Uddhava and Sātyaki began to fan the Lord with exquisitely adorned fans, and Madhupati, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, shone upon the road amid flowers scattered all around.

Synonyms

• उद्धवः: Uddhava
• उद्धवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्धव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

• सात्यकिः: Sātyaki
• सात्यकिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सात्यकि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

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

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• व्यजने: in/with the two fans (chowries)
• व्यजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), द्विवचन; अधिकरण (locative): ‘in/with the two fans’

• परम-अद्भुते: most wonderful
• परम-अद्भुते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम + अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), द्विवचन; कर्मधारय (supremely wonderful) विशेषण ‘व्यजने’

• विकीर्यमाणः: being scattered (over)
• विकीर्यमाणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि√कीर् (धातु) + शानच् (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; वर्तमान-कालिक कर्मणि कृदन्त (present passive participle)

• कुसुमैः: with flowers
• कुसुमैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; करण

• रेजे: shone
• रेजे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• मधु-पतिः: Madhu’s lord (Krishna)
• मधु-पतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (lord of Madhu / slayer of Madhu)

• पथि: on the road
• पथि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; अधिकरण

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Satyaki
• Madhupati (Sri Krishna)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving Krishna through simple acts like fanning and offering flowers?

This verse shows bhakti expressed as intimate, personal service—Uddhava and Sātyaki honor Kṛṣṇa with fans while devotees shower flowers, illustrating that loving attendance to the Lord is itself exalted devotion.

Why are Uddhava and Satyaki mentioned while Krishna is traveling on the road?

In the narrative of Kṛṣṇa’s departure for Dvārakā, His close devotees accompany and serve Him publicly, emphasizing His royal majesty and the affectionate devotion of His associates.

How can I apply the mood of this shloka in modern life?

Offer respectful, consistent service—small daily acts done for the Lord (or in His service, like caring for devotees, temple service, or mindful worship) with sincerity, as Uddhava and Sātyaki did.