Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 49

Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat

Devanagari script

इति सम्मन्‍त्र्य भगवान् दुर्गं द्वादशयोजनम् । अन्त:समुद्रे नगरं कृत्‍स्‍नाद्भ‍ुतमचीकरत् ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

iti sammantrya bhagavān durgaṁ dvādaśa-yojanam antaḥ-samudre nagaraṁ kṛtsnādbhutam acīkarat

Translation

如此与巴拉罗摩商议后，至上主在海中建起周围十二由旬的堡垒；并在其内营造一座具足诸般奇妙的城邑。

Synonyms

• इति: thus
• इति: Vākyopasaṃhāra (वाक्योपसंहार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; वाक्यसमाप्त्यर्थक/उद्धरणसूचक (quotative particle)

• सम्मन्त्र्य: having consulted
• सम्मन्त्र्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); धातु: √मन्त्र् with उपसर्ग सम्; अर्थः ‘having consulted/deliberated’

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• दुर्गम्: a fort
• दुर्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• द्वादश-योजनम्: twelve-yojana (in extent)
• द्वादश-योजनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘दुर्गम्’ इति; द्विगु-समासः (numeral compound)

• अन्तः-समुद्रे: within the sea
• अन्तः-समुद्रे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तः (अव्यय/उपपद) + समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः ‘अन्तः’ + ‘समुद्रे’ = ‘within the sea’

• नगरम्: a city
• नगरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नगर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्स्न-अद्भुतम्: wholly marvelous
• कृत्स्न-अद्भुतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्स्न (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘नगरम्’ इति; कर्मधारयः = ‘entirely wonderful’

• अचीकरत्: he caused (it) to be made
• अचीकरत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) णिच् (causative)
• Form: लुङ्-लकार (Aorist/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; धातु: √कृ causative = ‘caused to be made/constructed’

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the building of Dvārakā in the sea?

This verse states that after deliberation, Bhagavān had a vast, unconquerable fortress and a completely wondrous city constructed within the ocean—describing the divine establishment of Dvārakā.

Why did Kṛṣṇa create a strong fort and city at this point in Canto 10?

In the narrative, Jarāsandha repeatedly attacked Mathurā; Kṛṣṇa, after consulting, arranged a secure strategic refuge—Dvārakā—so His people could be protected while His divine mission continued.

Practical application of Kṛṣṇa’s ‘consult and protect’ principle in modern life?

Act thoughtfully: consult wise counsel, plan for safety, and create stable support systems—protecting dependents while continuing one’s dharma without panic.