Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 8

The Disappearance of the Yadu Dynasty and Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Departure

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणांस्तु महाभागान् कृतस्वस्त्ययना वयम् । गोभूहिरण्यवासोभिर्गजाश्वरथवेश्मभि: ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇāṁs tu mahā-bhāgān kṛta-svastyayanā vayam go-bhū-hiraṇya-vāsobhir gajāśva-ratha-veśmabhiḥ

Translation

Après avoir accompli les rites expiatoires et le svastyayana avec l’aide de brāhmaṇas très fortunés, nous honorerons ces brāhmaṇas en leur offrant des vaches, des terres, de l’or, des vêtements, des éléphants, des chevaux, des chars et des demeures.

Synonyms

• brāhmaṇān: brāhmaṇas
• brāhmaṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tu: indeed/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधारण/विरोधार्थक (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• mahā-bhāgān: greatly fortunate
• mahā-bhāgān: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘महान् भागः यस्य’ (here as ‘very fortunate’)

• kṛta-svastyayanāḥ: having performed auspicious rites/blessings
• kṛta-svastyayanāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √kṛ) + svastyayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त ‘कृत’ + कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थ: ‘स्वस्त्ययनं कृतं येषाम्’ (those who have performed auspicious rites)

• vayam: we
• vayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• go-bhū-hiraṇya-vāsobhiḥ: with cows, land, gold, and garments
• go-bhū-hiraṇya-vāsobhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक) + bhū (प्रातिपदिक) + hiraṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व: ‘गवां च भूमेः च हिरण्यस्य च वाससां च (समाहारः)’

• gaja-aśva-ratha-veśmabhiḥ: with elephants, horses, chariots, and houses
• gaja-aśva-ratha-veśmabhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaja (प्रातिपदिक) + aśva (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक) + veśman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व: ‘गजानां च अश्वानां च रथानां च वेश्मनाम् च (समाहारः)’

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring brāhmaṇas with charity?

This verse states that the brāhmaṇas should be respectfully honored with auspicious benedictions and supported through generous gifts such as cows, land, gold, clothing, vehicles, and even residences.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention gifts like cows, land, and gold in Canto 11?

In the narrative context of Canto 11, Śukadeva highlights traditional dharmic support of brāhmaṇas—ensuring spiritual culture is protected through proper honor, blessings, and substantial charity.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Offer respectful support to genuine spiritual teachers and dharmic institutions—through appropriate donations, service, and seeking blessings—while keeping the mood of sincerity and responsibility.