Shloka 37

Akrūra’s Journey to Vraja and His Devotional Vision of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma

Devanagari script

सङ्कर्षणश्च प्रणतमुपगुह्य महामना: । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणी अनत्सानुजो गृहम् ॥ ३७ ॥ पृष्ट्वाथ स्वागतं तस्मै निवेद्य च वरासनम् । प्रक्षाल्य विधिवत् पादौ मधुपर्कार्हणमाहरत् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

saṅkarṣaṇaś ca praṇatam upaguhya mahā-manāḥ gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇī anayat sānujo gṛham

Translation

عظیم دل سنکرشن (بلرام) نے جھکے ہوئے اکرور کو گلے لگایا، اس کے جڑے ہوئے ہاتھ اپنے ہاتھ میں لے کر، شری کرشن کے ساتھ اسے گھر لے گیا۔

Synonyms

• saṅkarṣaṇaḥ: Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
• saṅkarṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅkarṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• praṇatam: the bowed one (Akrūra)
• praṇatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇata (कृदन्त; √nam)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (one who has bowed)

• upaguhya: having embraced
• upaguhya: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa√guh (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘embracing’

• mahā-manāḥ: great-minded
• mahā-manāḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (महान् मनः यस्य—great-minded)

• gṛhītvā: having taken
• gṛhītvā: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √grah (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया; ‘having taken/held’

• pāṇinā: with (his) hand
• pāṇinā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• pāṇī: (his) two hands
• pāṇī: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), द्विवचन

• anayat: led
• anayat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nī (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• sa-anujaḥ: together with (his) younger brother
• sa-anujaḥ: Karta-anvayi Visheshana (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-सदृश) + anuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (अनुजेन सह—together with his younger brother)

• gṛham: to the house
• gṛham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma)
• Kṛṣṇa (anuja)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about welcoming a devotee or guest respectfully?

This verse shows Lord Balarāma personally embracing the bowed guest and leading him inside by the hand—illustrating affectionate, respectful reception as a devotional virtue.

Why did Balarama embrace the person who bowed down before Him?

Because the visitor approached with humility (praṇata), and Balarāma, being great-hearted, responded with intimate kindness—embracing him as a mark of honor and affection.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Receive guests with warmth and dignity—acknowledge humility with kindness, and offer personal attention rather than mere formality.