Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19

Garga Muni Names Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; the Butter-Thief Pastimes; Yaśodā Sees the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth

Devanagari script

तस्मान्नन्दात्मजोऽयं ते नारायणसमो गुणै: । श्रिया कीर्त्यानुभावेन गोपायस्व समाहित: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

tasmān nandātmajo ’yaṁ te nārāyaṇa-samo guṇaiḥ śriyā kīrtyānubhāvena gopāyasva samāhitaḥ

Translation

Maka, wahai Nanda Mahārāja, anakmu ini setara dengan Nārāyaṇa dalam sifat-sifat rohani; dalam kemuliaan, nama dan kemasyhuran, serta pengaruh juga demikian. Oleh itu, besarkanlah Dia dengan sangat berhati-hati dan berjaga-jaga.

Synonyms

• तस्मात्: therefore
• तस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात्-इति निपातवत् (ablatival adverbial use); हेत्वर्थे (therefore/from that reason)

• नन्दात्मजः: Nanda’s son
• नन्दात्मजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्द + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नन्दस्य आत्मजः = Nanda’s son)

• अयम्: this (boy)
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ते: your
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6 विभक्ति), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नारायणसमः: equal to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणसमः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नारायणेन समः = equal to Nārāyaṇa)

• गुणैः: in qualities / by qualities
• गुणैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3 विभक्ति), बहुवचन

• श्रिया: by splendor/fortune
• श्रिया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• कीर्त्या: by fame
• कीर्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• अनुभावेन: by (his) power/majesty
• अनुभावेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3 विभक्ति), एकवचन

• गोपायस्व: protect (him)
• गोपायस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गुप् (धातु) [गोपाय-देशी/णिजन्त-आदेश]
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ—imperative), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; धातु: गुप् → गोपाय (causative/denominative-like stem)

• समाहितः: being attentive/composed
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + आ + धा (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

Purport

In this verse, the word nārāyaṇa-samaḥ is significant. Nārāyaṇa has no equal. He is asamordhva: no one is equal to Him, and no one is greater than He is. As stated in śāstra:

Characters & Entities

• Nanda
• Nārāyaṇa
• Kṛṣṇa (Nandātmaja)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.19 say about Krishna being equal to Narayana?

It states that Nanda’s son possesses qualities equal to Nārāyaṇa—recognized through His splendor, fame, and extraordinary potency—indicating His supreme divinity even in childhood.

Why did Garga Muni tell Nanda Maharaja to protect Krishna carefully?

After naming the child and hinting at His divine nature and greatness, Garga Muni advises vigilant protection because powerful forces opposed to the Lord would seek to harm Him during His Vraja pastimes.

How can devotees apply “protect Him with a steady mind” in modern life?

By guarding one’s devotion—maintaining steady sādhana, avoiding distractions and offenses, and creating a home and routine centered on Krishna so bhakti is carefully preserved.