Shloka 16

Utthāna Ceremony, Śakaṭa-bhañga, Tṛṇāvarta-vadha, and the Vision of the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth

Devanagari script

गाव: सर्वगुणोपेता वास:स्रग्रुक्‍ममालिनी: । आत्मजाभ्युदयार्थाय प्रादात्ते चान्वयुञ्जत ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

gāvaḥ sarva-guṇopetā vāsaḥ-srag-rukma-mālinīḥ ātmajābhyudayārthāya prādāt te cānvayuñjata

Translation

わが子クリシュナの繁栄を願い、ナンダ・マハーラージャは衣と花鬘と金の首飾りで飾られ、あらゆる徳を備えた牝牛を婆羅門たちに施した。婆羅門たちはそれを受け取り、一族全体、とりわけクリシュナに祝福を授けた。

Synonyms

• gāvaḥ: cows
• gāvaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), बहुवचन

• sarva-guṇa-upetāḥ: endowed with all qualities
• sarva-guṇa-upetāḥ: Kartṛviśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva + guṇa + upeta (कृदन्त; upa-√i ‘to go/attain’ → upeta)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (sarvaiḥ guṇaiḥ upetāḥ), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन; qualifying ‘gāvaḥ’

• vāsaḥ-srak-rukma-mālinīḥ: adorned with garments, garlands and golden ornaments
• vāsaḥ-srak-rukma-mālinīḥ: Karmaviśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāsaḥ + srak + rukma + mālinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व/समुच्चय-समास (list of adornments) used as बहुव्रीहि-भावार्थ adjective, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन; qualifying implied ‘gāvaḥ’ as objects of giving

• ātmaja-abhyudaya-arthāya: for the prosperity of (his) son
• ātmaja-abhyudaya-arthāya: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātmaja + abhyudaya + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (ātmajasya abhyudayasya arthāya), पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; purpose-dative

• prādāt: gave
• prādāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√dā (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘he gave’

• te: they
• te: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, प्रथमा बहुवचन (enclitic); ‘they’ (referring to dvijottamāḥ/brāhmaṇas)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• anvayuñjata: they engaged/uttered (blessings)
• anvayuñjata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-√yuj (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; ‘they joined/engaged (in blessing/benediction)’

Purport

Nanda Mahārāja first fed the brāhmaṇas sumptuously and then gave them in charity first-class cows fully decorated with golden necklaces, garments and flower garlands.

Characters & Entities

• Nanda Mahārāja
• Yaśodā
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving cows in charity?

This verse highlights that, for an auspicious occasion, devotees gave excellent cows endowed with good qualities as a prime form of charity, along with other gifts—showing dāna as a key expression of dharma and gratitude.

Why did Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā arrange gifts and ceremonies for Kṛṣṇa?

They did so to invoke and celebrate the auspicious prosperity and well-being of their child, following customary Vedic rites and supporting them with generous charity.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Mark life’s milestones with gratitude, prayer, and generosity—supporting worthy causes, serving devotees, and making charity part of celebration rather than mere consumption.