Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 51

The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti

Devanagari script

स वै न आद्य: पुरुष: स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम् । अविज्ञतानुभावानां क्षन्तुमर्हत्यतिक्रमम् ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

sa vai na ādyaḥ puruṣaḥ sva-māyā-mohitātmanām avijñatānubhāvānāṁ kṣantum arhaty atikramam

Translation

祂正是原初之人格（Ādi-Puruṣa）；我们被祂自身的幻力所迷，未能明了祂的威能。如今惟愿祂慈悲宽恕我们的冒犯。

Synonyms

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) — emphasis/indeed

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• आद्यः: the original/primeval
• आद्यः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — qualifying पुरुषः

• पुरुषः: Person (Supreme Person)
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम्: of those deluded in self by their own illusion
• स्वमायामोहितात्मनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व-माया-मोहित-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक); स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + माया (प्रातिपदिक) + मोहित (कृदन्त) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन) — ‘of those whose selves are deluded by their own māyā’

• अविज्ञतानुभावानाम्: of those unaware of (his) potency
• अविज्ञतानुभावानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-विज्ञात-अनुभाव (प्रातिपदिक); अविज्ञात (कृदन्त) + अनुभाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन) — ‘of those who do not know (his) power/majesty’

• क्षन्तुम्: to forgive
• क्षन्तुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/कर्म-भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षम् (धातु) → क्षन्तुम् (कृदन्त, तुमुन्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्) — ‘to forgive’

• अर्हति: is fit/ought
• अर्हति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

• अतिक्रमम्: the transgression/offense
• अतिक्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna forgiving offenses?

This verse states that because Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Person, He is worthy and able to forgive the transgressions of those deluded by His māyā who fail to recognize His divine power.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe people as deluded by Krishna’s māyā here?

In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 23, those who disregard or misunderstand Kṛṣṇa’s position do so due to ignorance shaped by māyā; Śukadeva emphasizes that such ignorance is not stronger than the Lord’s compassion.

Practical application of Krishna’s forgiveness in modern life?

Recognize that spiritual mistakes can be corrected through humility and sincere devotion; instead of despair, one can seek forgiveness, learn, and return to steady bhakti.