Shloka 7
Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya
उपस्थायार्कमुद्यन्तं तर्पयित्वात्मन: कला: । देवानृषीन् पितॄन्वृद्धान्विप्रानभ्यर्च्य चात्मवान् ॥ ७ ॥ धेनूनां रुक्मशृङ्गीनां साध्वीनां मौक्तिकस्रजाम् । पयस्विनीनां गृष्टीनां सवत्सानां सुवाससाम् ॥ ८ ॥ ददौ रूप्यखुराग्राणां क्षौमाजिनतिलै: सह । अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ॥ ९ ॥
upasthāyārkam udyantaṁ tarpayitvātmanaḥ kalāḥ devān ṛṣīn pitṝn vṛddhān viprān abhyarcya cātmavān
उद्यन्तम् अर्कम् उपस्थाय आत्मनः कलाः तर्पयित्वा देवान् ऋषीन् पितॄन् च—ये सर्वे तस्यैव अंशाः—आत्मवान् वृद्धान् विप्रांश्च अभ्यर्च्य। अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यः रुक्मशृङ्गीः मौक्तिकस्रजः सुवाससः रूप्यखुराग्राः पयस्विन्यो गृष्ट्यः सवत्साः साध्वीः धेनूः क्षौमाजिनतिलैः सह बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ददौ।
Śrīdhara Svāmī quotes several Vedic scriptures to show that in the context of Vedic ritual, a badva here refers to 13,084 cows. The words badvaṁ badvaṁ dine dine indicate that Lord Kṛṣṇa would give the learned brāhmaṇas many such groups of cows on a daily basis. Śrīdhara Svāmī further gives evidence that the usual practice for great saintly kings in previous ages was to give 107 such badva, or groups of 13,084 cows. Thus the total number of cows given in this sacrifice, known as Mañcāra, is 14 lakhs, or 1,400,000.
FAQs
This verse shows Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself honoring elders and brāhmaṇas, establishing respect for spiritual learning and age as part of dharmic conduct.
To model ideal Vedic discipline for householders and kings—beginning the day with reverence, gratitude, and orderly duties—even though He is the Supreme Lord.
Start the day with a disciplined spiritual practice and consciously show respect to teachers, elders, and sacred traditions through service and humility.