Shloka 8
Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya
उपस्थायार्कमुद्यन्तं तर्पयित्वात्मन: कला: । देवानृषीन् पितॄन्वृद्धान्विप्रानभ्यर्च्य चात्मवान् ॥ ७ ॥ धेनूनां रुक्मशृङ्गीनां साध्वीनां मौक्तिकस्रजाम् । पयस्विनीनां गृष्टीनां सवत्सानां सुवाससाम् ॥ ८ ॥ ददौ रूप्यखुराग्राणां क्षौमाजिनतिलै: सह । अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ॥ ९ ॥
upasthāyārkam udyantaṁ tarpayitvātmanaḥ kalāḥ devān ṛṣīn pitṝn vṛddhān viprān abhyarcya cātmavān
Cada día el Señor adoraba al sol naciente y ofrecía tarpaṇa a los semidioses, sabios y antepasados, que son expansiones de Él mismo. Dueño de Sí, luego veneraba con esmero a sus mayores y a los brāhmaṇas. A aquellos brāhmaṇas bien ataviados les entregaba rebaños de vacas mansas y apacibles, con cuernos chapados en oro y guirnaldas de perlas; iban cubiertas con finas telas y la parte delantera de sus pezuñas estaba chapada en plata. Daban abundante leche, habían parido una sola vez y estaban acompañadas de sus terneros. Cada día el Señor daba a los brāhmaṇas eruditos muchos grupos de 13.084 vacas, junto con lino, pieles de ciervo y semillas de sésamo.
Śrīdhara Svāmī quotes several Vedic scriptures to show that in the context of Vedic ritual, a badva here refers to 13,084 cows. The words badvaṁ badvaṁ dine dine indicate that Lord Kṛṣṇa would give the learned brāhmaṇas many such groups of cows on a daily basis. Śrīdhara Svāmī further gives evidence that the usual practice for great saintly kings in previous ages was to give 107 such badva, or groups of 13,084 cows. Thus the total number of cows given in this sacrifice, known as Mañcāra, is 14 lakhs, or 1,400,000.
FAQs
This passage shows Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself worshiping the devas, ṛṣis, pitṛs, elders, and brāhmaṇas, teaching that reverence and service to worthy recipients is essential dharma.
As the ideal king and householder, Kṛṣṇa practiced daily charity (dāna) and honored brāhmaṇas, sustaining sacred culture and demonstrating self-controlled, compassionate leadership.
One can practice regular giving—supporting genuine spiritual education, caring for cows/animal welfare, feeding others, and offering resources respectfully to those who uphold knowledge and service.