Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13

Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya

Devanagari script

संविभज्याग्रतो विप्रान् स्रक्‌ताम्बूलानुलेपनै: । सुहृद: प्रकृतीर्दारानुपायुङ्क्त तत: स्वयम् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

saṁvibhajyāgrato viprān srak-tāmbūlānulepanaiḥ suhṛdaḥ prakṛtīr dārān upāyuṅkta tataḥ svayam

Translation

Sau khi trước hết phân phát vòng hoa, trầu cau (tāmbūla) và bột đàn hương cho các brāhmaṇa, Ngài ban những lễ vật ấy cho bạn hữu, các đại thần và các phu nhân; cuối cùng chính Ngài cũng thọ nhận chúng.

Synonyms

• saṁvibhajya: having distributed/shared
• saṁvibhajya: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + vi + bhaj (धातु)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive/Gerund)

• agrataḥ: first / in front
• agrataḥ: Adhikarana (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb, Tasil Pratyaya suffix

• viprān: the Brahmanas
• viprān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• srak-tāmbūla-anulepanaiḥ: with garlands, betel nuts, and sandalwood paste
• srak-tāmbūla-anulepanaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sraj + tāmbūla + anulepana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• suhṛdaḥ: friends/well-wishers
• suhṛdaḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suhṛd (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• prakṛtīḥ: citizens/ministers
• prakṛtīḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prakṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dārān: wives
• dārān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (always plural in Sanskrit)

• upāyuṅkta: he enjoyed/partook
• upāyuṅkta: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa + yuj (धातु)
• Form: Lang Lakara (Imperfect Past), Atmanepada, Prathama Purusha, Ekavachana

• tataḥ: then / after that
• tataḥ: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम)
• Form: Adverb, Tasil Pratyaya

• svayam: himself
• svayam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता) modifier
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Reflexive Pronoun/Adverb

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• brāhmaṇas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring brāhmaṇas first?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa first offering respect and gifts—garlands, betel, and fragrances—to the brāhmaṇas, teaching that dharma begins with honoring the spiritually learned and saintly.

Why does Krishna serve others before Himself in Dvārakā?

Śukadeva describes Kṛṣṇa’s royal etiquette: He satisfies brāhmaṇas, then friends, ministers, dependents, and His queens, demonstrating ideal kingship and selfless care even while being the Supreme Lord.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Practice principled priority: honor wise and virtuous guidance, responsibly care for family and community, and cultivate humility by serving others before personal comfort.