Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

नानालक्षणवेषाभ्यां कृष्णरामौ विरेजतु: । स्वलङ्कृतौ बालगजौ पर्वणीव सितेतरौ ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

nānā-lakṣaṇa-veṣābhyāṁ kṛṣṇa-rāmau virejatuḥ sv-alaṅkṛtau bāla-gajau parvaṇīva sitetarau

Translation

克里希那与罗摩（巴拉罗摩）身着各具特征的不同装束，光彩照人；各自盛饰，宛如节庆时装点的两头幼象——一白一黑。

Synonyms

• नाना-लक्षण-वेषाभ्याम्: with various distinctive attires
• नाना-लक्षण-वेषाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना + लक्षण + वेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; करण—‘by/with various-marked attires’

• कृष्ण-रामौ: Krishna and Rama
• कृष्ण-रामौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण + राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन

• विरेजतुः: shone, appeared splendid
• विरेजतुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + √राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), द्विवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘shone forth’

• सु-अलङ्कृतौ: well-adorned
• सु-अलङ्कृतौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + अलङ्कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव (सु- उपसर्ग); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from √कृ (अलङ्कृ ‘to adorn’); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण of कृष्ण-रामौ

• बाल-गजौ: (like) young elephants
• बाल-गजौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल + गज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; उपमान-रूपेण (as a simile-apposition)

• पर्वणि: on the lunar day (parvan)
• पर्वणि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमावाचक (like/as)

• सित-इतरौ: one fair and the other dark
• सित-इतरौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित + इतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषण—‘white and the other (dark)’ i.e., one fair, one dark

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Balarama

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 10.41.41 describe about Krishna and Balarama?

It describes Krishna and Balarama appearing radiant and majestic in distinctive dress and ornaments, compared to beautifully decorated young elephants and to the bright and dark halves of the lunar fortnight.

Why are Krishna and Balarama compared to the bright and dark halves of the lunar fortnight?

The verse poetically contrasts their complexions and complementary beauty—one bright/white and the other dark—showing how together they appear perfectly harmonious and captivating.

How can devotees apply the teaching of this verse in modern life?

By practicing devotional remembrance (smaraṇa) of the Lord’s form—meditating on Krishna and Balarama’s beauty and presence to steady the mind and deepen bhakti.