Shloka 23

केशीवधः तथा ‘केशव’ नामप्रसिद्धिः

Devanagari script

यस्मात् त्वयैष दुष्टात्मा हतः केशी जनार्दन तस्मात् केशवनाम्ना त्वं लोके ख्यातो भविष्यसि

Transliteration

yasmāt tvayaiṣa duṣṭātmā hataḥ keśī janārdana tasmāt keśavanāmnā tvaṃ loke khyāto bhaviṣyasi

Translation

Since You have slain this wicked-souled Keśī, O Janārdana, therefore by the name “Keśava” You shall become renowned in the world.

Word by Word

• यस्मात्: because (from the fact) that
• यस्मात्: Hetu (Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ (ablative of cause: 'because of which')

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Kartr̥ (Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• एषः: this (one)
• एषः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दुष्टात्मा: evil-souled (one)
• दुष्टात्मा: Karta (Appositive epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (evil-souled person)

• हतः: slain
• हतः: Karta-predicative (predicate of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु) → हत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• केशी: Keśī
• केशी: Karta (Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• जनार्दन: O Janārdana
• जनार्दन: Sambodhana (Vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन + अर्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (afflicter/subduer of people)

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu/Conclusion marker
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन; तस्मात् = 'therefore/from that reason'

• केशवनाम्ना: by the name Keśava
• केशवनाम्ना: Karana (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशव + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (by the name 'Keśava')

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (Locus)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• ख्यातः: renowned
• ख्यातः: Karta-predicative (predicate of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ख्या (धातु) → ख्यात (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• भविष्यसि: you will be
• भविष्यसि: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (भविष्यत्काल/future); मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya; the line itself reflects the cowherds’/Vraja people’s proclamation after the event)

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: To destroy the wicked Keśī and thereby manifest the celebrated divine epithet ‘Keśava’ that becomes a focus of devotion.

Leela: Loka-rakshana

Dharma Restored: Protection of the world through asura-samhāra and establishment of the Lord’s nāma-kīrti as a refuge for beings.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord’s names arise from His saving acts and become enduring supports for devotion in the world.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Practice nāma-japa/kīrtana of ‘Keśava’ with the associated līlā in mind, letting the name evoke protection and gratitude.

Vishishtadvaita: Nāma and līlā are real attributes of the supreme Person; the world’s relation to Him is sustained through His manifest qualities and acts (saviśeṣa Brahman).

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Krishna (Vishnu)
• Janardana
• Keshi

FAQs

What is the significance of the name “Keshava” in the Vishnu Purana?

In this verse, “Keshava” is presented as a title earned through Krishna’s slaying of the demon Keśī, marking his world-recognized role as the divine protector who destroys forces opposed to dharma.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the emergence of Vishnu’s epithets in narrative episodes?

Parāśara links divine names to specific acts that uphold universal order—here, the defeat of Keśī becomes the narrative cause for Krishna’s fame as “Keśava,” showing how theology is conveyed through deed and remembrance.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu (Krishna) in this context?

Krishna is addressed as Janārdana, emphasizing Vishnu as the Supreme Lord who intervenes within the world to remove suffering and disorder; the demon’s destruction underscores divine sovereignty expressed as compassionate protection.