Shloka 14
Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Dvārakā
Dvārakā-praveśa and Bhakta-vātsalya
सम्मार्जितमहामार्गरथ्यापणकचत्वराम् । सिक्तां गन्धजलैरुप्तां फलपुष्पाक्षताङ्कुरै: ॥ १४ ॥
sammārjita-mahā-mārga- rathyāpaṇaka-catvarām siktāṁ gandha-jalair uptāṁ phala-puṣpākṣatāṅkuraiḥ
મહામાર્ગો, ગલીઓ, બજારો અને ચૌક બધાં સારી રીતે સાફ કરી સુગંધિત જળથી છાંટવામાં આવ્યા. પ્રભુના સ્વાગત માટે સર્વત્ર ફળ, પુષ્પ, અક્ષત અને અંકુર વિખેરાયા.
Scented waters prepared by distilling flowers like rose and keora were requisitioned to wet the roads, streets and lanes of Dvārakā-dhāma. Such places, along with the marketplace and public meeting places, were thoroughly cleansed. From the above description, it appears that the city of Dvārakā-dhāma was considerably big, containing many highways, streets and public meeting places with parks, gardens and reservoirs of water, all very nicely decorated with flowers and fruits. And to welcome the Lord such flowers and fruits with unbroken seeds of grain were also strewn over the public places. Unbroken seeds of grain or fruits in the seedling stage were considered auspicious, and they are still so used by the Hindus in general on festival days.
FAQs
In this verse, the citizens of Dvārakā cleanse roads and public areas, sprinkle fragrant water, and decorate with auspicious items like flowers, fruits, akṣata (unbroken rice), and sprouts—showing loving devotional preparation to receive the Lord.
Because Śrī Kṛṣṇa was entering the city; the residents expressed bhakti through practical service (seva), making the entire environment pure, festive, and auspicious for His arrival.
Offer devotion through tangible cleanliness and thoughtful preparation—keeping one’s home, altar, and community spaces neat and sacred, and welcoming the Lord through simple, sincere acts of service.