Shloka 52

Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate

Devanagari script

इति तस्मै वरं दत्त्वा श्रियं चान्वयवर्धिनीम् । बलमायुर्यश: कान्तिं निर्जगाम सहाग्रज: ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

iti tasmai varaṁ dattvā śriyaṁ cānvaya-vardhinīm balam āyur yaśaḥ kāntiṁ nirjagāma sahāgrajaḥ

Translation

ఇలా అతనికి వరాలు ఇచ్చి, శ్రీకృష్ణుడు అతని వంశాన్ని వృద్ధి చేసే శ్రీమంతతను, బలం, దీర్ఘాయువు, యశస్సు, కాంతిని కూడా ప్రసాదించాడు. ఆపై ఆయన అన్న బలరామునితో కలిసి అక్కడి నుంచి బయలుదేరాడు।

Synonyms

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, quotative particle

• tasmai: to him
• tasmai: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• varam: a boon
• varam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• dattvā: having given
• dattvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √dā (दा) (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), indeclinable; having given

• śriyam: prosperity
• śriyam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, conjunction

• anvaya-vardhinīm: increasing (his) lineage
• anvaya-vardhinīm: Karma-visheshana (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anvaya (प्रातिपदिक) + vardhinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; tatpuruṣa: anvayaṁ vardhayati iti (that which increases lineage); agrees with śriyam

• balam: strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• āyuḥ: life-span
• āyuḥ: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āyus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (ending -ḥ in nom/acc sg for āyus)

• yaśaḥ: fame
• yaśaḥ: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (yaśaḥ)

• kāntim: splendor
• kāntim: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nirjagāma: departed
• nirjagāma: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√gam (गम्) (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• saha-agrajaḥ: together with (his) elder brother
• saha-agrajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saha (अव्यय) + agraja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; avyayībhāva: saha agrajena (together with elder brother) → sahāgrajaḥ

Purport

We can see a clear difference between Lord Kṛṣṇa’s dealings with the nasty washerman and His dealings with the devoted florist Sudāmā. The Lord is as hard as a thunderbolt for those who defy Him and as soft as a rose for those who surrender to Him. Therefore we should all sincerely surrender to Lord Kṛṣṇa, since that is clearly in our self-interest.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Balarāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna blessing devotees with prosperity and fame?

In this verse, Kṛṣṇa bestows a boon along with prosperity, strength, long life, fame, and splendor—showing that the Lord can grant both worldly well-being and auspiciousness to those He favors.

Why did Krishna give a boon and then depart with Balarama in Canto 10 Chapter 41?

After fulfilling the occasion by granting blessings, Kṛṣṇa continues His Mathurā līlā, moving onward with His elder brother Balarāma as the narrative proceeds toward His next divine acts in the city.

How can a modern reader apply the teaching of this shloka in daily life?

See prosperity and success as gifts to be used dharmically: cultivate devotion and gratitude, and use strength, longevity, reputation, and resources to support family responsibilities and spiritual practice.