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
Setiap hari Bhagavān memuja matahari yang terbit dan mempersembahkan tarpaṇa kepada para dewa, ṛṣi, dan leluhur—semuanya adalah perluasan diri-Nya. Lalu Tuhan yang teguh mengendalikan diri itu menghormati para sesepuh dan para brāhmaṇa dengan pemujaan yang saksama. Kepada brāhmaṇa yang berpakaian indah Ia menghadiahkan kawanan sapi yang jinak dan damai, bertanduk berlapis emas dan berkalung untaian mutiara; sapi-sapi itu berselimut kain halus, ujung kuku depannya berlapis perak, berlimpah susu, baru sekali beranak, dan disertai anak-anaknya. Setiap hari Ia memberikan banyak kelompok berisi 13.084 ekor sapi kepada brāhmaṇa terpelajar, bersama kain linen, kulit rusa, dan biji wijen.
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.