Srimad Bhagavatam 10.23.46 — Dashama Skandha, Canto 10, Chapter 23, Verse 46

The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti

Devanagari script

अन्यथा पूर्णकामस्य कैवल्याद्यशिषां पते: । ईशितव्यै: किमस्माभिरीशस्यैतद् विडम्बनम् ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

anyathā pūrṇa-kāmasya kaivalyādy-aśiṣāṁ pateḥ īśitavyaiḥ kim asmābhir īśasyaitad viḍambanam

Translation

లేకపోతే, అన్ని కోరికలు ఇప్పటికే పరిపూర్ణమైనవాడు, కైవల్యాది సమస్త దివ్య వరాల అధిపతి అయిన పరమ నియంత—ఎల్లప్పుడూ ఆయన చేత నియంత్రింపబడే మాతో ఈ విధమైన లీలా-విడంబన ఎందుకు చేయాలి?

Synonyms

• anyathā: otherwise
• anyathā: Sambandha (वाक्य-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anyathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘otherwise’

• pūrṇa-kāmasya: of the fully satisfied one
• pūrṇa-kāmasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrṇa + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—पूर्णः कामः यस्य (one whose desires are fulfilled; fully satisfied)

• kaivalya-ādi-aśiṣām: of blessings such as liberation
• kaivalya-ādi-aśiṣām: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaivalya + ādi + aśiṣ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (आशिष्), षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन; समासः—(कैवल्य-आदि) + आशिषाम् (blessings such as liberation)

• pateḥ: of the lord/master
• pateḥ: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन

• īśitavyaiḥ: by those who are to be governed
• īśitavyaiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśitavya (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त—तव्यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (those who are to be ruled/controlled)

• kim: what?
• kim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (nom/acc), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक (interrogative)

• asmābhiḥ: by us
• asmābhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument/Agentive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/instrumental), बहुवचन

• īśasya: of the Lord
• īśasya: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (nom/acc), एकवचन; संकेतवाचक (this)

• viḍambanam: mockery, deception, play-acting
• viḍambanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viḍambana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (nom/acc), एकवचन

Purport

Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Truth, He humbly sent His cowherd boyfriends to beg food from the brāhmaṇas. In so doing, He exposed the brāhmaṇas’ foolish arrogance and established the glories of His own transcendental beauty by attracting their very wives to surrender at His lotus feet.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about why Krishna, who is self-satisfied, still acts as if He needs something?

This verse explains that the Lord is pūrṇa-kāma (fully satisfied) and the giver of even liberation, so His apparent “need” is viḍambanam—His līlā meant to teach and bless devotees.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Krishna’s actions here as viḍambanam (a playful arrangement)?

In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 23, Krishna’s request through the cowherd boys becomes a divine setup to reveal devotion and transform hearts—especially by redirecting religious pride toward bhakti.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

When life presents tests that seem unnecessary or confusing, remember the Bhagavatam’s view: the Lord may be arranging circumstances to awaken humility, dependence on Him, and sincere devotion.