Shloka 37

Akrūra’s Journey to Vraja and His Devotional Vision of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma

Devanagari script

सङ्कर्षणश्च प्रणतमुपगुह्य महामना: । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणी अनत्सानुजो गृहम् ॥ ३७ ॥ पृष्ट्वाथ स्वागतं तस्मै निवेद्य च वरासनम् । प्रक्षाल्य विधिवत् पादौ मधुपर्कार्हणमाहरत् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

saṅkarṣaṇaś ca praṇatam upaguhya mahā-manāḥ gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇī anayat sānujo gṛham

Translation

Великодушный Санкаршана (Баларама) обнял склонившегося Акруру, взял его сложенные ладони в свои и вместе со Шри Кришной повёл его в дом.

Synonyms

• saṅkarṣaṇaḥ: Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
• saṅkarṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅkarṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• praṇatam: the bowed one (Akrūra)
• praṇatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇata (कृदन्त; √nam)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (one who has bowed)

• upaguhya: having embraced
• upaguhya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa√guh (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘embracing’

• mahā-manāḥ: great-minded
• mahā-manāḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (महान् मनः यस्य—great-minded)

• gṛhītvā: having taken
• gṛhītvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘having taken/held’

• pāṇinā: with (his) hand
• pāṇinā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• pāṇī: (his) two hands
• pāṇī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), द्विवचन

• anayat: led
• anayat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nī (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• sa-anujaḥ: together with (his) younger brother
• sa-anujaḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + anuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (अनुजेन सह—together with his younger brother)

• gṛham: to the house
• gṛham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
• Kṛṣṇa (anuja)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about welcoming a devotee or guest respectfully?

This verse shows Lord Balarāma personally embracing the bowed guest and leading him inside by the hand—illustrating affectionate, respectful reception as a devotional virtue.

Why did Balarama embrace the person who bowed down before Him?

Because the visitor approached with humility (praṇata), and Balarāma, being great-hearted, responded with intimate kindness—embracing him as a mark of honor and affection.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Receive guests with warmth and dignity—acknowledge humility with kindness, and offer personal attention rather than mere formality.