Shloka 53

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणो जन्मना श्रेयान् सर्वेषां प्राणिनामिह । तपसा विद्यया तुष्‍ट्या किमु मत्कलया युत: ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇo janmanā śreyān sarveṣām prāṇinām iha tapasā vidyayā tuṣṭyā kim u mat-kalayā yutaḥ

Translation

ఈ లోకంలో బ్రాహ్మణుడు జన్మతఃనే సమస్త ప్రాణులలో శ్రేష్ఠుడు; తపస్సు, విద్య, ఆత్మసంతృప్తి వలన మరింత మహోన్నతుడవుతాడు— మరి నా భక్తితో యుక్తుడైతే చెప్పేదేముంది!

Synonyms

• ब्राह्मणः: a brāhmaṇa
• ब्राह्मणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जन्मना: by birth
• जन्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• श्रेयान्: superior
• श्रेयान्: Visheshya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तुलनात्मक-विशेषण (comparative)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• प्राणिनाम्: living beings
• प्राणिनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• इह: here (in this world)
• इह: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विद्यया: by knowledge
• विद्यया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तुष्ट्या: by contentment
• तुष्ट्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• किम्: what then
• किम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निपातवत् प्रश्नार्थक (interrogative particle used idiomatically)

• उ: indeed/then
• उ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उ (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• मत्-कलया: by my portion/emanation
• मत्-कलया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत् (अस्मद्-प्रातिपदिक) + कला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मम कला)

• युतः: endowed/connected
• युतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP) ‘युक्त’ अर्थे, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘ब्राह्मणः’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a true brāhmaṇa?

This verse highlights tapas (austerity), vidyā (sacred learning), and tuṣṭi (contentment) as key brāhmaṇical qualities, and says the brāhmaṇa becomes even more venerable when connected to the Lord’s divine potency through devotion.

Why does Kṛṣṇa glorify brāhmaṇas in Canto 10, Chapter 86?

In the Dvārakā context, Kṛṣṇa teaches proper dharma by honoring brāhmaṇas and emphasizing that real greatness is not merely social status but the cultivation of austerity, knowledge, satisfaction, and spiritual connection to Him.

How can I apply tapas, vidyā, and tuṣṭi in modern life according to Bhagavatam teachings?

Practice self-discipline (tapas) through regulated habits, pursue scriptural and spiritual study (vidyā), and cultivate gratitude and simplicity (tuṣṭi); then offer these qualities in devotion to Kṛṣṇa for genuine spiritual elevation.