Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 28

Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata

Devanagari script

मृगाञ्छुक्लदत: कृष्णान् हिरण्येन परीवृतान् । अदात् कर्मणि मष्णारे नियुतानि चतुर्दश ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

mṛgāñ chukla-dataḥ kṛṣṇān hiraṇyena parīvṛtān adāt karmaṇi maṣṇāre niyutāni caturdaśa

Translation

Khi cử hành tế lễ Maṣṇāra, Bharata đã bố thí mười bốn lakh voi thượng hạng, ngà trắng thân đen, toàn thân phủ kín đồ trang sức bằng vàng.

Synonyms

• मृगान्: deer
• मृगान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• शुक्लदतः: white-tusked
• शुक्लदतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल + दत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• कृष्णान्: black
• कृष्णान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying मृगान्)

• हिरण्येन: with gold
• हिरण्येन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• परीवृतान्: covered, surrounded
• परीवृतान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; (mṛgān) विशेषण

• अदात्: gave
• अदात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• कर्मणि: in/for the rite (sacrificial act)
• कर्मणि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• मष्णारे: in the Maṣṇāra (sacrifice/occasion)
• मष्णारे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मष्णार (प्रातिपदिक; यज्ञ-विशेष/ऋत्विज्-विशेष)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; (कर्मणि) विशेषण/सम्बन्ध

• नियुतानि: ten-thousands (units)
• नियुतानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक (ten-thousands)

• चतुर्दश: fourteen
• चतुर्दश: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + दश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (numeral compound); अव्ययवत् संख्यावाचक; (नियुतानि) विशेषण

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about giving charity during yajna (dakṣiṇā)?

This verse highlights that generous dakṣiṇā—valuable gifts offered as part of sacrifice—was considered an essential expression of dharma and gratitude within Vedic rites.

Why are deer and gold mentioned in this Bhagavatam verse?

The verse describes the opulence of the sacrificial gifts: black deer with white teeth, ornamented with gold, indicating both ritual propriety and the giver’s extraordinary generosity.

Practical application of this shloka’s teaching in modern life?

Offer resources sincerely in sacred or service-oriented contexts—supporting teachers, temples, and dharmic causes—while keeping the spirit of gratitude and responsibility central.