Shloka 54

Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed

Devanagari script

स्‍नातोऽलङ्कारवासांसि वन्दिभ्योऽदात्तथा स्‍त्रिय: । तत: स्वलङ्कृतो वर्णानाश्वभ्योऽन्नेन पूजयत् ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

snāto ’laṅkāra-vāsāṁsi vandibhyo ’dāt tathā striyaḥ tataḥ sv-alaṅkṛto varṇān ā-śvabhyo ’nnena pūjayat

Translation

Tắm xong, Vasudeva cùng các phu nhân dâng tặng cho những người vandi (người tụng ca) chính trang sức và y phục họ đang mặc. Rồi ngài khoác áo mới, tự trang nghiêm, và kính đãi mọi hạng người bằng việc bố thí thức ăn, đến cả loài chó.

Synonyms

• snātaḥ: having bathed
• snātaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: snāta (प्रातिपदिक - snā + kta)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• alaṅkāra-vāsāṁsi: ornaments and garments
• alaṅkāra-vāsāṁsi: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alaṅkāra-vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• vandibhyaḥ: to the bards/panegyrists
• vandibhyaḥ: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vandin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural

• adāt: gave
• adāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु)
• Form: Lung Lakara (Aorist/लुङ्), Prathama Purusha, Ekavachana

• tathā: similarly/likewise
• tathā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• striyaḥ: the women
• striyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• tataḥ: thereafter
• tataḥ: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• su-alaṅkṛtaḥ: well adorned
• su-alaṅkṛtaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-alaṅkṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• varṇān: the castes/classes of people
• varṇān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ā-śvabhyaḥ: even down to the dogs
• ā-śvabhyaḥ: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ā-śvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी) or Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Plural (Idiomatic usage)

• annena: with food
• annena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• pūjayat: worshipped/fed
• pūjayat: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (धातु)
• Form: Lan Lakara (Imperfect/लङ्), Prathama Purusha, Ekavachana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about charity and honoring others in Krishna’s pastimes?

This verse highlights a dharmic, devotional culture: after purification, one gives charity (ornaments and clothing) and honors all—people of every varṇa and even animals—through respectful offerings like food.

Why are bards and women specifically mentioned as recipients of gifts in this verse?

In the ceremonial setting described in Canto 10, Chapter 84, gifting to bards (who bless and recite praises) and to women reflects traditional dāna and hospitality practices accompanying auspicious gatherings and rites.

How can a modern devotee apply the teaching of this shloka in daily life?

Begin important activities with cleanliness and a prayerful mood, then practice generosity—support spiritual speakers/servants, care for family and community, and extend compassion to animals by offering nourishment and protection.