Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 34

Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial

Devanagari script

तेभ्यो हिरण्यं रजतं वासांस्याभरणानि च । ग्रामान् हयान् गजान् प्रादाद् धेनूनामर्बुदानि षट् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

tebhyo hiraṇyaṁ rajataṁ vāsāṁsy ābharaṇāni ca grāmān hayān gajān prādād dhenūnām arbudāni ṣaṭ

Translation

To the brāhmaṇas who took part in the ceremony, the King gave charity of gold and silver, garments and ornaments, villages, horses and elephants, and also six arbuda of cows—sixty krores, that is, six hundred million cows.

Synonyms

• तेभ्यः: to them
• तेभ्यः: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), बहुवचन

• हिरण्यम्: gold
• हिरण्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• रजतम्: silver
• रजतम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वासांसि: garments
• वासांसि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• आभरणानि: ornaments
• आभरणानि: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आभरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• ग्रामान्: villages
• ग्रामान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• हयान्: horses
• हयान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गजान्: elephants
• गजान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• प्रादात्: gave
• प्रादात्: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; उपसर्ग: प्र- (प्रादात् = gave)

• धेनूनाम्: of cows
• धेनूनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• अर्बुदानि: arbuda-units (ten-millions)
• अर्बुदानि: कर्म (Karma/Object; measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्बुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्या-विशेष्य (count-unit)

• षट्: six
• षट्: विशेषण (Qualifier/Number)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षष् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या-शब्द; (indeclinable-like numeral) विशेषण of अर्बुदानि; ‘six’

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving charity like gold, cows, and villages?

This verse describes extensive Vedic charity—gold, silver, garments, ornaments, villages, horses, elephants, and vast numbers of cows—showing the cultural ideal of generous giving to qualified recipients.

Why are cows specifically emphasized in Bhagavatam charity descriptions?

Cows are central to Vedic prosperity and dharma; gifting cows is repeatedly praised as a high form of charity, and here the gift is described in immense quantity (six arbudas).

How can the principle of dana (charity) from this shloka be applied in modern life?

Practice intentional generosity—support spiritual learning, serve devotees and society, and give according to capacity with sincerity rather than display.