Shloka 55

Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat

Devanagari script

श्यामैकवर्णान् वरुणो हयान् शुक्लान्मनोजवान् । अष्टौ निधिपति: कोशान् लोकपालो निजोदयान् ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

śyāmaika-varṇān varuṇo hayān śuklān mano-javān aṣṭau nidhi-patiḥ kośān loka-pālo nijodayān

Translation

Varuṇa offrit des chevaux rapides comme la pensée, les uns d’un bleu sombre, les autres blancs. Kuvera, trésorier des devas, donna ses huit trésors mystiques, et les régents des mondes présentèrent chacun leurs propres opulences.

Synonyms

• śyāmaika-varṇān: of a single dark hue
• śyāmaika-varṇān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śyāma (प्रातिपदिक) + eka (प्रातिपदिक) + varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (having one dark color)

• varuṇaḥ: Varuṇa
• varuṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• hayān: horses
• hayān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• śuklān: white
• śuklān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śukla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• mano-javān: mind-swift
• mano-javān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक) + java (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (swift as the mind)

• aṣṭau: eight
• aṣṭau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-विशेषणम्; पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम् (used with kośān)

• nidhi-patiḥ: the lord of treasures (Kubera)
• nidhi-patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (lord of treasures)

• kośān: treasuries
• kośān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kośa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्

• loka-pālaḥ: a guardian of the world (Lokapāla)
• loka-pālaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (protector of the world/region)

• nija-udayān: their own (proper)
• nija-udayān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक) + udaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (one's own, proper)

Purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī comments as follows on this verse: “The master of the treasury is Kuvera, and the eight treasures are his nidhis. These are described as follows:

Characters & Entities

• Varuṇa
• Kubera

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about demigods offering gifts in Krishna-lila?

This verse shows powerful celestial beings like Varuṇa and Kubera offering extraordinary gifts, highlighting that all opulence ultimately serves the Supreme Lord’s purpose within Krishna’s pastimes.

Why are Varuna and Kubera mentioned in Canto 10 Chapter 50?

They are cited as prominent divine administrators whose offerings illustrate the vast resources of the cosmos being placed at the service of the Lord and His mission on earth.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Use your abilities and resources—wealth, skills, influence—as offerings in service to God and dharma, rather than as ends in themselves.