Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 43

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

सूपविष्टान् कृतातिथ्यान् श्रुतदेव उपस्थित: । सभार्यस्वजनापत्य उवाचाङ्घ्र्यभिमर्शन: ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

sūpaviṣṭān kṛtātithyān śrutadeva upasthitaḥ sa-bhārya-svajanāpatya uvācāṅghry-abhimarśanaḥ

Translation

Lorsque les hôtes furent assis à l’aise et que chacun eut reçu l’accueil dû, Śrutadeva s’approcha et s’assit tout près avec son épouse, ses enfants et les siens. Puis, tout en massant les pieds du Seigneur, il s’adressa à Kṛṣṇa et aux sages.

Synonyms

• सु-उपविष्टान्: well-seated (them)
• सु-उपविष्टान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + उपविष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √विश्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; अव्ययीभाव-समास: सु + उपविष्ट

• कृत-अतिथ्यान्: having rendered hospitality (to them)
• कृत-अतिथ्यान्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ) + अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: कृतः अतिथ्यः येषां ते (having performed hospitality)

• श्रुतदेवः: Śrutadeva
• श्रुतदेवः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुतदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम (proper noun)

• उपस्थितः: present/standing near
• उपस्थितः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपस्थित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √स्था with उप)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• स-भार्य-स्वजन-अपत्यः: together with (his) wife, relatives, and children
• स-भार्य-स्वजन-अपत्यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय) + भार्या (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वजन (प्रातिपदिक) + अपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (saha-): भार्यया स्वजनैः अपत्यैः सह (with wife, kinsmen, and children)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अङ्घ्रि-अभिमर्शनः: (he) who was touching the feet (in reverence)
• अङ्घ्रि-अभिमर्शनः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्घ्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिमर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: अङ्घ्र्योः अभिमर्शनं यस्य सः (one who touches the feet)

Characters & Entities

• Śrutadeva
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about atithi-seva (serving guests) in Krishna bhakti?

This verse highlights that Śrutadeva first seats and honors the guests properly, showing that devoted hospitality and reverence are natural expressions of bhakti.

Why did Śrutadeva touch the Lord’s feet before speaking?

Touching the Lord’s feet signifies surrender and humility; Śrutadeva approaches Kṛṣṇa not as an ordinary visitor but as the Supreme Lord worthy of worship.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice devotional humility and respect—welcome guests sincerely, serve them well, and remember God while performing everyday duties.