Shloka 21
Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Dvārakā
Dvārakā-praveśa and Bhakta-vātsalya
भगवांस्तत्र बन्धूनां पौराणामनुवर्तिनाम् । यथाविध्युपसङ्गम्य सर्वेषां मानमादधे ॥ २१ ॥
bhagavāṁs tatra bandhūnāṁ paurāṇām anuvartinām yathā-vidhy upasaṅgamya sarveṣāṁ mānam ādadhe
بھگوان شری کرشن وہاں آئے ہوئے دوستوں، رشتہ داروں، شہریوں اور استقبال کرنے والوں کے پاس طریقے کے مطابق گئے اور ہر ایک کو مناسب عزّت و احترام عطا فرمایا۔
The Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead is neither impersonal nor an inert object unable to reciprocate the feelings of His devotees. Here the word yathā-vidhi, or “just as it behooves,” is significant. He reciprocates “just as it behooves” with His different types of admirers and devotees. Of course, the pure devotees are of one type only because they have no other object for service but the Lord, and therefore the Lord also reciprocates with such pure devotees just as it behooves — namely, He is always attentive to all the matters of His pure devotees. There are others who designate Him as impersonal, and so the Lord also does not take any personal interest. He satisfies everyone in terms of one’s development of spiritual consciousness, and a sample of such reciprocation is exhibited here with His different welcomers.
FAQs
This verse shows that even Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, approaches elders and relatives according to proper etiquette and gives each person due honor, teaching dharma through His own example.
Kṛṣṇa follows yathā-vidhi (proper rules) to establish ideal conduct (dharma) for society and to honor His devotees and elders, demonstrating humility and respect.
Practice conscious respect—greet elders properly, honor mentors and family, and follow appropriate conduct in relationships, seeing etiquette as a form of service rather than mere formality.