Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19

Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya

Devanagari script

तत्रोपमन्त्रिणो राजन् नानाहास्यरसैर्विभुम् । उपतस्थुर्नटाचार्या नर्तक्यस्ताण्डवै: पृथक् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

tatropamantriṇo rājan nānā-hāsya-rasair vibhum upatasthur naṭācāryā nartakyas tāṇḍavaiḥ pṛthak

Translation

在那里，王啊，诙谐艺人以种种滑稽情味取悦那位至上主宰；精通表演的艺师侍奉在侧，女舞者各自以有力的“坦达瓦”舞姿起舞。

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• upamantriṇaḥ: attendant counselors
• upamantriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upamantrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• nānā-hāsya-rasaiḥ: with various humorous sentiments
• nānā-hāsya-rasaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + hāsya (प्रातिपदिक) + rasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समास: तत्पुरुष (‘various’ + ‘laughter’ + ‘flavors/rasas’)

• vibhum: the Lord
• vibhum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vibhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• upatasthuḥ: attended upon, served
• upatasthuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• naṭa-ācāryāḥ: masters of dramatic art
• naṭa-ācāryāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + ācārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समास: तत्पुरुष (‘teachers of actors/dancers’)

• nartakyaḥ: dancing girls
• nartakyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nartakī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• tāṇḍavaiḥ: with vigorous dances (tāṇḍava)
• tāṇḍavaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāṇḍava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• pṛthak: separately, in turn
• pṛthak: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pṛthak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

Purport

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that the word naṭācāryāḥ refers, among other things, to expert magicians. All of these different entertainers, one after the other, would perform for the Lord in the assembly of great kings.

Characters & Entities

• King Parīkṣit
• Śrī Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving Krishna through music, drama, and dance?

This verse shows that Kṛṣṇa is served not only through formal worship but also through cultured offerings—humor, drama, and dance—performed as loving service meant to please Him.

Why are performers and attendants described as serving the Lord in Dvārakā?

In Kṛṣṇa’s royal city of Dvārakā, many associates attended Him in different ways; the narrative highlights how every role—artistic or administrative—becomes devotional service when centered on pleasing Kṛṣṇa.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life as a devotee?

Offer your talents—art, humor, music, organization, or teaching—as seva with a pure intention to please the Lord, making daily skills part of bhakti rather than mere entertainment or ego-display.