Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35

Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate

Devanagari script

ईद‍ृशान्येव वासांसि नित्यं गिरिवनेचर: । परिधत्त किमुद्‌वृत्ता राजद्रव्याण्यभीप्सथ ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

īdṛśāny eva vāsāṁsī nityaṁ giri-vane-caraḥ paridhatta kim udvṛttā rāja-dravyāṇy abhīpsatha

Translation

洗衣人说：“你们这些放肆的孩子！你们惯于在山林间游荡，竟敢穿这样的衣服？这是国王的财物，你们竟来索要！”

Synonyms

• ईदृशानि: such (like these)
• ईदृशानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying वासांसि)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक/अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• वासांसि: garments
• वासांसि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस्/वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक-द्वितीया-एकवचन (adverbial accusative)

• गिरि-वने-चरः: O mountain-and-forest wanderer
• गिरि-वने-चरः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक) + वन (प्रातिपदिक) + चर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘one who moves in mountains and forests’

• परिधत्त: wear (you all)
• परिधत्त: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-धा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• किम्: why?
• किम्: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक अव्यय (interrogative particle)

• उद्वृत्ताः: insolent/overstepping
• उद्वृत्ताः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-वृत् (धातु) → उद्वृत्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (addressing the two)

• राज-द्रव्याणि: royal goods
• राज-द्रव्याणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक) + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘king’s property’

• अभीप्सथ: do you desire
• अभीप्सथ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-ईप्स् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Balarāma
• Kaṁsa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about arrogance in power and authority?

This verse shows how those attached to royal power can become rude and contemptuous, mistaking social position for virtue—an attitude that invites downfall when directed against the Lord and His devotees.

Why did Kaṁsa’s men speak harshly to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma about the garments?

Because the garments belonged to the royal storehouse, Kaṁsa’s attendants saw the brothers as mere village/forest youths and spoke with pride and possessiveness, not recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s divine position.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Do not let status, job title, or access to resources create contempt for others; humility and respect are dharmic, while arrogance blinds one to truth and leads to conflict.