Shloka 2

Govardhana-pūjā: Kṛṣṇa Redirects Indra-yajña to Worship of Govardhana, Cows, and Brāhmaṇas

Devanagari script

तदभिज्ञोऽपि भगवान् सर्वात्मा सर्वदर्शन: । प्रश्रयावनतोऽपृच्छद् वृद्धान् नन्दपुरोगमान् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

tad-abhijño ’pi bhagavān sarvātmā sarva-darśanaḥ praśrayāvanato ’pṛcchad vṛddhān nanda-purogamān

Translation

尽管身为遍知的至上灵、洞见一切的主，奎师那仍谦恭俯首，向以父亲难陀大王为首的长者们询问。

Synonyms

• तदभिज्ञः: knowing that (matter)
• तदभिज्ञः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद्-अभिज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक); तद् (सर्वनाम) + अभिज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — qualifying भगवान्

• अपि: although
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) — ‘although/also’

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• सर्वात्मा: the Soul of all
• सर्वात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक); सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• सर्वदर्शनः: all-seeing
• सर्वदर्शनः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक); सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — qualifying भगवान्

• प्रश्रयावनतः: humbly bowed
• प्रश्रयावनतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रश्रय-अवनत (प्रातिपदिक); प्रश्रय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवनत (कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — ‘bowed with humility’

• अपृच्छत्: asked
• अपृच्छत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद; augment a-

• वृद्धान्: the elders
• वृद्धान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• नन्दपुरोगमान्: with Nanda at the head
• नन्दपुरोगमान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नन्द-पुरोगम (प्रातिपदिक); नन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरोगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन) — qualifying वृद्धान्

Purport

Lord Kṛṣṇa was eager to enact His pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill and defeating the false pride of Indra, and thus He cleverly inquired from His father about the imminent sacrifice.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Nanda
• Vraja elders (vṛddhāḥ)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s humility even though He is omniscient?

This verse states that although Kṛṣṇa is all-knowing, all-seeing, and the indwelling Self of all, He still bows respectfully and asks the elders—teaching that true greatness expresses itself through humility and honoring devotees and tradition.

Why did Krishna ask Nanda and the elders if He already knew everything?

Kṛṣṇa inquired to draw out the Vraja elders’ intentions and the custom of the Indra-yajña, setting the stage for redirecting their faith toward Govardhana and pure devotion, while also modeling respectful social conduct.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Even if one is knowledgeable or senior, one should approach others with respect, ask sincerely, and honor elders and community wisdom—humility makes learning, leadership, and spiritual growth effective.