Shloka 7

Kṛṣṇa Leads Kālayavana to Mucukunda; The Yavana Is Burned; Mucukunda’s Prayers and Boon of Bhakti

Devanagari script

हस्तप्राप्तमिवात्मानं हरीणा स पदे पदे । नीतो दर्शयता दूरं यवनेशोऽद्रिकन्दरम् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

hasta-prāptam ivātmānaṁ harīṇā sa pade pade nīto darśayatā dūraṁ yavaneśo ’dri-kandaram

Translation

A cada paso, el Señor Hari se mostraba como si estuviera al alcance de las manos de Kālayavana, y así condujo al rey de los yavanas muy lejos, hasta una cueva en la montaña.

Synonyms

• हस्त-प्राप्तम्: as if within reach of the hand
• हस्त-प्राप्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + प्राप्त (प्रातिपदिक; √प्राप् क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हस्तेन प्राप्तम्) विशेषण (आत्मानम्)

• इव: as if
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• आत्मानम्: himself (the prey/target)
• आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हरीणा: by the Lord (Hari)
• हरीणा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सः: he (the Yavana king)
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• पदे: at (each) step
• पदे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• पदे: at every step
• पदे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (pade pade)

• नीतः: was led
• नीतः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु; √नी क्त)
• Form: क्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग-भाव (was led)

• दर्शयता: by (Hari) showing (the way)
• दर्शयता: Karana (करण/Instrumental agent phrase)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) caus. दर्शय (धातु)
• Form: शतृ/वर्तमान कृदन्त (present participle), तृतीया, एकवचन; पुंलिङ्ग; ‘by (one) showing/leading’

• दूरम्: far away
• दूरम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• यवन-ईशः: the king of the Yavanas
• यवन-ईशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-apposition to सः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यवन (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (यवनानाम् ईशः)

• अद्रि-कन्दरम्: a mountain cave
• अद्रि-कन्दरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object-goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अद्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + कन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अद्रेः कन्दरम्)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Hari (Kṛṣṇa)
• Kālayavana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna misleading Kalayavana?

This verse describes how Śrī Hari kept just out of reach, drawing Kālayavana onward step by step, ultimately leading him to a mountain cave as part of the Lord’s plan.

Why did Krishna lead Kalayavana to a mountain cave in Canto 10 Chapter 51?

In the narrative, Kṛṣṇa guides the pursuing Kālayavana to the cave where Mucukunda lies, so that the demon meets the consequence destined for him and the Lord’s purpose is fulfilled without direct confrontation.

Practical application of Krishna’s strategy in modern life?

The verse highlights that divine guidance can work through indirect paths—patience, discernment, and trusting higher intelligence can resolve threats without impulsive conflict.