Shloka 21

Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya

Devanagari script

तत्राहुर्ब्राह्मणा: केचिदासीना ब्रह्मवादिन: । पूर्वेषां पुण्ययशसां राज्ञां चाकथयन् कथा: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

tatrāhur brāhmaṇāḥ kecid āsīnā brahma-vādinaḥ pūrveṣāṁ puṇya-yaśasāṁ rājñāṁ cākathayan kathāḥ

Translation

Di balairung itu, beberapa brāhmaṇa yang mahir brahma-vidyā duduk melantunkan mantra-mantra Veda dengan fasih; sementara yang lain menceritakan kisah raja-raja terdahulu yang masyhur kerana kebajikan.

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• āhuḥ: they said
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• brāhmaṇāḥ: brāhmaṇas
• brāhmaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• kecit: some
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; indefinite (‘some’)

• āsīnāḥ: seated
• āsīnāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√sad (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; agrees with brāhmaṇāḥ/kecit

• brahma-vādinaḥ: expounders of sacred knowledge
• brahma-vādinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + vādin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समास: तत्पुरुष (‘speakers of brahman/veda’)

• pūrveṣām: of former (earlier)
• pūrveṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; used adjectivally

• puṇya-yaśasām: of those of virtuous fame
• puṇya-yaśasām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; समास: कर्मधारय (‘holy/meritorious’ + ‘fame’) qualifying rājñām

• rājñām: of kings
• rājñām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय)

• akathayan: they narrated
• akathayan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√kath (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• kathāḥ: stories
• kathāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kathā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the value of hearing sacred stories (kathā)?

This verse shows brāhmaṇas engaged in brahma-vāda (spiritual discussion) while narrating the exemplary histories of virtuous kings—implying that hearing and speaking such kathā nourishes dharma and elevates consciousness.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 10.70.21?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, describing the atmosphere in Dvārakā where learned brāhmaṇas were discussing sacred history.

How can I apply the message of Bhagavatam 10.70.21 in modern life?

Spend regular time in uplifting discussion—study circles, sādhusanga, and reading/listening to saintly biographies and dharmic histories—so your daily environment becomes spiritually nourishing rather than distracting.