Shloka 9
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
Chaque jour, le Seigneur adorait le soleil levant et offrait le tarpaṇa aux demi-dieux, aux sages et aux ancêtres, qui sont tous des expansions de Sa propre personne. Puis, maître de Lui-même, Il honorait avec soin les aînés et les brāhmaṇas. À ces brāhmaṇas richement vêtus, Il offrait des troupeaux de vaches dociles et paisibles, aux cornes plaquées d’or et aux colliers de perles; elles étaient drapées de fines étoffes, l’avant des sabots plaqué d’argent, abondantes en lait, n’ayant vêlé qu’une seule fois et accompagnées de leurs veaux. Chaque jour, le Seigneur donnait aux brāhmaṇas savants de nombreux groupes de 13 084 vaches, avec du lin, des peaux de cerf et des graines de sésame.
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 verse shows Śrī Kṛṣṇa following a disciplined morning routine—worship, honoring devas, sages, forefathers, elders, and brāhmaṇas—teaching that dharma and gratitude are integral to ideal life.
Kṛṣṇa exemplified generosity and brāhmaṇa-sevā, giving richly adorned cows and supporting sacred culture, thereby modeling righteous kingship and devotional charity.
Keep a steady daily sādhana, show respect to elders and teachers, practice gratitude to ancestors, and give regular charity—especially to spiritual causes and those who uphold knowledge and virtue.