Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 9
Kṛṣṇa’s Daily Life in Dvārakā; the Captive Kings’ Appeal; Nārada Announces the Rājasūya
उपस्थायार्कमुद्यन्तं तर्पयित्वात्मन: कला: । देवानृषीन् पितॄन्वृद्धान्विप्रानभ्यर्च्य चात्मवान् ॥ ७ ॥ धेनूनां रुक्मशृङ्गीनां साध्वीनां मौक्तिकस्रजाम् । पयस्विनीनां गृष्टीनां सवत्सानां सुवाससाम् ॥ ८ ॥ ददौ रूप्यखुराग्राणां क्षौमाजिनतिलै: सह । अलङ्कृतेभ्यो विप्रेभ्यो बद्वं बद्वं दिने दिने ॥ ९ ॥
upasthāyārkam udyantaṁ tarpayitvātmanaḥ kalāḥ devān ṛṣīn pitṝn vṛddhān viprān abhyarcya cātmavān
主每日礼拜初升之日轮，并以供养（tarpaṇa）使诸天、圣仙与祖先满足——他们皆为主自身的扩展。随后，这位自持的至尊又谨慎礼敬长者与婆罗门。对衣着端严的婆罗门，主赐予温顺安宁的牛群：牛角镀金，颈佩珍珠璎珞，身披细美布帛，前蹄尖镀银；乳汁丰盈，仅产犊一次，并与犊同在。主每日又将许多组共13,084头牛，连同亚麻布、鹿皮与芝麻籽，布施给博学的婆罗门。
Śrīdhara Svāmī quotes several Vedic scriptures to show that in the context of Vedic ritual, a badva here refers to 13,084 cows. The words badvaṁ badvaṁ dine dine indicate that Lord Kṛṣṇa would give the learned brāhmaṇas many such groups of cows on a daily basis. Śrīdhara Svāmī further gives evidence that the usual practice for great saintly kings in previous ages was to give 107 such badva, or groups of 13,084 cows. Thus the total number of cows given in this sacrifice, known as Mañcāra, is 14 lakhs, or 1,400,000.
FAQs
This verse shows Śrī Kṛṣṇa following a disciplined morning routine—worship, honoring devas, sages, forefathers, elders, and brāhmaṇas—teaching that dharma and gratitude are integral to ideal life.
Kṛṣṇa exemplified generosity and brāhmaṇa-sevā, giving richly adorned cows and supporting sacred culture, thereby modeling righteous kingship and devotional charity.
Keep a steady daily sādhana, show respect to elders and teachers, practice gratitude to ancestors, and give regular charity—especially to spiritual causes and those who uphold knowledge and virtue.