Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 18
Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Dvārakā
Dvārakā-praveśa and Bhakta-vātsalya
वारणेन्द्रं पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणै: ससुमङ्गलै: । शङ्खतूर्यनिनादेन ब्रह्मघोषेण चादृता: । प्रत्युज्जग्मू रथैर्हृष्टा: प्रणयागतसाध्वसा: ॥ १८ ॥
vāraṇendraṁ puraskṛtya brāhmaṇaiḥ sasumaṅgalaiḥ śaṅkha-tūrya-ninādena brahma-ghoṣeṇa cādṛtāḥ pratyujjagmū rathair hṛṣṭāḥ praṇayāgata-sādhvasāḥ
With the lordly elephant—an emblem of good fortune—placed in front, and with brāhmaṇas bearing flowers, amid the blare of conchs and trumpets and the chanting of Vedic hymns, they joyfully rode out on chariots to welcome the Lord, offering respects steeped in loving devotion.
The Vedic way of receiving a great personality creates an atmosphere of respect, which is saturated with affection and veneration for the person received. The auspicious atmosphere of such a reception depends on the paraphernalia described above, including conchshells, flowers, incense, decorated elephants, and the qualified brāhmaṇas reciting verses from the Vedic literatures. Such a program of reception is full of sincerity, on the part of both the receiver and the received.
FAQs
They went out joyfully in chariots, led by a foremost elephant, accompanied by brāhmaṇas chanting Vedic blessings, with conches and trumpets sounding—offering Krishna a respectful, love-filled reception.
They signify a sacred, royal, and devotional reception—external celebration (instruments) joined with spiritual sanctification (brahma-ghoṣa), expressing honor and bhakti toward the Lord.
Welcome the Lord through respectful devotional culture—kīrtana, auspicious prayers, and honoring saintly brāhmaṇas/teachers—so celebration is guided by reverence and loving remembrance of Krishna.