Shloka 38

Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow

Mathurā-līlā Prelude

Devanagari script

नन्दगोपादयो गोपा भोजराजसमाहुता: । निवेदितोपायनास्त एकस्मिन्मञ्च आविशन् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

nanda-gopādayo gopā bhoja-rāja-samāhutāḥ niveditopāyanās ta ekasmin mañca āviśan

Translation

ഭോജരാജന്റെ വിളിയാൽ നന്ദഗോപാദി ഗോപർ ഉപഹാരങ്ങൾ സമർപ്പിച്ച് ഒരു ഗാലറിയിൽ കയറി ഇരുന്നു।

Synonyms

• नन्द-गोप-आदयः: Nanda, Gopa and others
• नन्द-गोप-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + गोप (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः: नन्दश्च गोपश्च आदयश्च → ‘Nanda, Gopa and others’ (आदि-शब्देन समाहार)

• गोपाः: cowherds
• गोपाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• भोज-राज-समाहुताः: invited by King Bhoja
• भोज-राज-समाहुताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भोज (प्रातिपदिक) + राज (प्रातिपदिक) + समाहूत (कृदन्त; सम्+आ√ह्वे/ह्वा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘समाहूत’ = ‘invited’; समासः: भोजराजेन समाहूताः (agent/instrumental sense)

• निवेदित-उपायनाः: having presented gifts
• निवेदित-उपायनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निवेदित (कृदन्त; नि√विद्/√वेद् ‘to present/inform’) + उपायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः: निवेदितानि उपायनानि येषाम् (possessive sense; bahuvrīhi-like usage though form is tatpuruṣa)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• एकस्मिन्: in one
• एकस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• मञ्चे: on a platform/bench
• मञ्चे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आविशन्: entered/sat down
• आविशन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√विश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

Purport

According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the word samāhutāḥ indicates that King Kaṁsa respectfully called the leaders of Vraja forward so that they could make their offerings to the central government. According to the ācārya, Kaṁsa assured Nanda as follows: “My dear King of Vraja, you are the most important of my village rulers. Yet even though you have come to Mathurā from your cowherd village, you have not come to visit me. Is that because you are frightened? Don’t think that your two sons are bad because They broke the bow. I invited Them here because I heard They were extremely powerful, and I’ve arranged this wrestling match as a test of Their strength. So please come forward without hesitation. Don’t be afraid.”

Characters & Entities

• Nanda
• Gopas (cowherd men)
• Kaṁsa (Bhoja king)

FAQs

Why did Kaṁsa (the Bhoja king) summon Nanda and the gopas in Srimad Bhagavatam?

In this Mathurā episode, Kaṁsa calls the Vraja elders like Nanda under royal pretext; the verse shows them arriving, offering gifts, and being seated—setting the stage for Kaṁsa’s political control and Kṛṣṇa’s unfolding līlā in Mathurā.

What does “niveditopāyanāḥ” mean in Bhagavatam 10.42.38?

It means “having presented their offerings/gifts,” indicating the customary etiquette of subjects or visitors bringing upāyana when meeting a king.

How can this verse be applied in modern devotional life?

It highlights respectful conduct—offering one’s best (time, service, sincerity) and maintaining humility even in tense situations—while trusting that the Lord’s plan is unfolding beyond immediate appearances.