Devi Bhagavatam 4.21.47 — Devi as Supreme Shakti, Skandha 4, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 47

The Description of the Killing of Devaki's First Son by Kamsa

Devanagari script

अभ्युत्थानार्घ्यपाद्यादि चकारोग्रसुतस्तदा । पप्रच्छ कुशलं राजा तत्रागमनकारणम्

Transliteration

abhyutthānārghyapādyādi cakārograsutastadā . papraccha kuśalaṃ rājā tatrāgamanakāraṇam

Translation

บุตรแห่งอุคราเสน (กังสะ) ลุกขึ้นยืนและถวายอรรฆยะ ปาทยะ และที่นั่งแก่ท่าน กษัตริย์ทรงถามถึงสารทุกข์สุกดิบและเหตุแห่งการมาของท่าน

Word by Word

• abhyutthānārghyapādyādi: rising, offering arghya, padya, etc.
• abhyutthānārghyapādyādi: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhyutthānārghyapādyādi
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Neuter

• cakāra: did
• cakāra: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ
• Form: Perfect (Lit), Active, 3rd Person, Singular

• ugrasutaḥ: son of Ugrasena
• ugrasutaḥ: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ugrasuta
• Form: Nominative, Singular, Masculine

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā
• Form: Indeclinable

• papraccha: asked
• papraccha: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: pracch
• Form: Perfect (Lit), Active, 3rd Person, Singular

• kuśalam: welfare
• kuśalam: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśala
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Neuter

• rājā: king
• rājā: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan
• Form: Nominative, Singular, Masculine

• tatrāgamanakāraṇam: the reason for coming there
• tatrāgamanakāraṇam: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: tatrāgamanakāraṇa
• Form: Accusative, Singular, Neuter

Speaker

Vyasa

Devi Narrative

Story Arc Position: setup

Vyasa-Janamejaya Dialogue

Narrator: Vyasa

Listener: Janamejaya

Dialogue Context: Kamsa receiving Narada with traditional honors

Narrative Layer: primary

Ritual Context

Text: Reflects the traditional Vedic reception of a guest with Arghya (water for hands) and Padya (water for feet).

Philosophical Significance

Text: Shows that even demonic kings adhered to the strict codes of Dharma regarding the reception of holy sages.

Characters & Entities

• Kamsa (Son of Ugrasena)
• Narada

FAQs

How did Kamsa treat Sage Narada upon his arrival?

Kamsa respectfully stood up, offered him traditional hospitality (Arghya and Padya), and inquired about his welfare and the purpose of his visit.