Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 46

Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal

Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up

Devanagari script

त्वयोपभुक्तस्रग्गन्धवासोऽलङ्कारचर्चिता: । उच्छिष्टभोजिनो दासास्तव मायां जयेमहि ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

tvayopabhukta-srag-gandha- vāso-’laṅkāra-carcitāḥ ucchiṣṭa-bhojino dāsās tava māyāṁ jayema hi

Translation

En nous parant des guirlandes, parfums, vêtements et ornements que Tu as déjà portés, et en prenant les restes de Ton prasāda, nous, Tes serviteurs, vaincrons assurément Ta māyā.

Synonyms

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम (Pronoun)

• उपभुक्त-स्रक्-गन्ध-वासः-अलङ्कार-चर्चिताः: adorned with garlands, scents, garments and ornaments enjoyed/used by you
• उपभुक्त-स्रक्-गन्ध-वासः-अलङ्कार-चर्चिताः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of ‘दासाः’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप-√भुज् (धातु) + क्त; स्रज्/स्रक् + गन्ध + वासस् + अलङ्कार + चर्चित (प्रातिपदिक; √चर्च् + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘त्वया उपभुक्त’ (instrumental relation) इति विशेषणं, तेन स्रग्गन्धवासोऽलङ्कारैः चर्चिताः (adorned/marked)

• उच्छिष्ट-भोजिनः: eaters of (your) remnants
• उच्छिष्ट-भोजिनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; apposition to ‘दासाः’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्छिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + भोजिन् (प्रातिपदिक; √भुज् + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (उच्छिष्टस्य भोजिनः)

• दासाः: servants
• दासाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम (Pronoun)

• मायाम्: illusion, māyā
• मायाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• जयेमहि: may we conquer
• जयेमहि: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जि (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative/optative-like injunction), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), बहुवचन (Plural), आत्मनेपद

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; indeed)

Purport

It is clear from this verse that Uddhava is not approaching the Lord for liberation from the illusory energy. As a personal, confidential associate of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava was undoubtedly a completely liberated soul. He is praying to the Lord because he cannot bear the thought of living without Kṛṣṇa even for a moment. This feeling is called love of God. Uddhava is addressing the Lord as follows: “Even if Your illusory energy tries to attack us, my Lord, we will very easily conquer her by our powerful weapons, which are the remnants of Your foodstuffs, clothes, ornaments, and so on. In other words, we will easily conquer over māyā by kṛṣṇa-prasādam, and not by useless speculation and mental concoction.”

Characters & Entities

• Sri Krishna

FAQs

How does the Srimad Bhagavatam teach us to overcome maya?

This verse emphasizes that humble service to Krishna—honoring His remnants (prasada) and living as His servant—gives spiritual strength to conquer māyā.

Why do the Yadus mention using Krishna’s garlands, garments, and remnants?

They highlight intimate devotion: accepting what Krishna has enjoyed signifies surrender, purity of love, and dependence on Him rather than on material identity.

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

Practice devotional humility: honor prasadam, keep Krishna-centered habits, and cultivate a servant attitude in daily duties to reduce ego and material attachment.