Shloka 37

Vasudeva and Devakī Glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; The Recovery of Devakī’s Six Sons from Sutala

Devanagari script

समर्हयामास स तौ विभूतिभि- र्महार्हवस्‍त्राभरणानुलेपनै: । ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभि: स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन च ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

samarhayām āsa sa tau vibhūtibhir mahārha-vastrābharaṇānulepanaiḥ tāmbūla-dīpāmṛta-bhakṣaṇādibhiḥ sva-gotra-vittātma-samarpaṇena ca

Translation

Ông thờ phụng Hai Ngài bằng mọi của cải mình có—y phục vô giá, trang sức, hương đàn thơm, trầu cau, đèn sáng, mỹ thực và nhiều lễ vật khác. Như vậy, ông dâng hiến toàn bộ tài sản của dòng tộc, và cả chính bản thân mình, lên Hai Ngài.

Synonyms

• समर्हयाम्: honored
• समर्हयाम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect) periphrastic base (आम्-प्रत्ययान्त), ‘समर्हयाम्’ (he honored) — used with ‘आस’

• आस: did/was (aux.)
• आस: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; सहायक-क्रिया (auxiliary)

• सः: he (Bali)
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन

• विभूतिभिः: with opulences
• विभूतिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• महाहर्वस्त्राभरणानुलेपनैः: with costly garments, ornaments, and unguents
• महाहर्वस्त्राभरणानुलेपनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाअर्ह-वस्त्र-आभरण-अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व: (महाअर्हाणि) वस्त्राणि च आभरणानि च अनुलेपनानि च

• ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभिः: with betel, lamps, nectar/foods, etc.
• ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल-दीप-अमृत-भक्षण-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व: betel, lamps, nectar/refreshments, foods, etc.

• स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन: by offering his own lineage, wealth, and self
• स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-गोत्र-वित्त-आत्म-समर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व: self, lineage, wealth—offering/dedication thereof

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (and)

Purport

Bali Mahārāja’s devotional attitude is renowned as the perfect example of complete self-surrender. When Lord Viṣṇu in the guise of a young brāhmaṇa student approached him for charity, Bali offered all he possessed, and when he had nothing more to offer, he surrendered himself as the Supreme Lord’s eternal servant.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Nārada
• Parvata

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests and sages (atithi-seva)?

This verse shows ideal atithi-seva: the host offers valuable items and heartfelt surrender—family, wealth, and self—treating exalted guests with reverence and devotion.

Why did Krishna honor the two sages with such opulent offerings?

Because honoring saintly persons is itself bhakti and dharma; Kṛṣṇa demonstrates the perfect standard of respect and service toward great sages like Nārada and Parvata.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Serve guests and spiritually advanced people with sincerity—offer your time, attention, and resources according to your capacity, and cultivate the mood of selfless service rather than mere formality.