Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.38.37-38
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
-
saṅkarṣaṇaḥ
—
Lord Balarāma
Saṅkarṣaṇa — "the one who draws together." One of the four primary expansions of Bhagavān in the catur-vyūha. Gauḍīyas hold Saṅkarṣaṇa as the source of the puruṣa-avatāras; here, that cosmic personality is washing a guest's feet.
-
upaguhya
—
embracing
From upa + √guh — to draw close, to embrace within. Another of the embrace-verbs that pattern this chapter (parirabh, pariṣvaj, upaguh). Gauḍīyas note that each verb of embrace is from a different angle — fully describing the welcome from every side.
-
mahā - manāḥ
—
magnanimous
Compound: mahā (great) + manas (mind). Echoing the mahā-mati used of Akrūra in v.1 — at the chapter's open and close, both host and guest are described with great-mind compounds. Gauḍīyas read this as deliberate symmetry.
-
su - āgatam
—
about the comfort of his trip
Compound: su (well) + āgata (arrived). The traditional welcome inquiry — "was your coming well?" Gauḍīyas note the propriety: even the cosmic Lord uses the householder's standard greeting; bhakti is not above good manners.
-
vidhi - vat
—
in accordance with scriptural injunctions
Compound: vidhi (rule, injunction) + vat (-like, in conformity with). Balarāma washes feet vidhi-vat — exactly as the gṛhastha-śāstras prescribe. Gauḍīyas read this as a teaching: Bhagavān honors the codes He Himself gives.
-
madhu - parka
—
honey mixed with milk
Compound: madhu (honey) + parka (mixture). The traditional welcome-drink offered to a respected guest. Gauḍīyas note the specific śāstric form: this is not improvised hospitality; it is the same madhuparka offered to a son-in-law or a king.
With his right hand, Balarama held Akrura’s folded hands. Akrura had previously revealed that desire in verse twenty three.
Akrūra treated Balarāma similarly since they were all from the same family. Balarāma’s mind excelled in qualities like affection for Kṛṣṇa’s devotees (mahā-manāḥ). At this time Balarāma played the main role and Kṛṣṇa was secondary, accompanying him (sānujaḥ), since as the elder brother he was the chief one to welcome guests. He took him to Nanda’s house, but he considered that his own house as well. He offered Akrūra the best seat, studded with jewels and according to the rules washed his feet and offered madhuparka. The phrase “according to the rules” should be added to all the items he offered.
The name Saṅkarṣaṇa identifies Balarāma as a Yadu, though he was living as a cowherd. Yadūnām apṛthag bhāvāt: he was non-different from the Yadus. (SB 10.8.12) Or the name indicates that he attracted everyone, like Kṛṣṇa. He had previously offered respects to Kṛṣṇa. Or he again offered respects separately to Balarāma. Balarāma was generous (mahāmanā) because he received Akrūra properly as a guest. Or Kṛṣṇa had become helpless out of affection for his devotee and Nanda and others were within the house, as if filled with grief (at the impeding separation). Balarāma then thought, “Today there is no one except me to welcome him.” Or he welcomed Akrūra in order to hide the fact that he would cause great suffering Vraja by taking Kṛṣṇa away. Kṛṣṇa was in a secondary position (sānujaḥ) or could not lead Akrūra to the house because of his prema. He led him to Nanda’s house—where Yaśodā and Rohiṇī were also staying. After bringing Akrūra to the house Balarāma offered him an excellent seat made of gems. He washed his feet and offered madhuparka according to the rules. The phrase “according to the rules” should be added to all the items he offered. The rules are well known in the smṛtis.
The host of a great house does not seat the honored guest and walk away — he washes the feet himself, brings the milk-and-honey himself, asks about the road himself. Balarāma, the elder of Vraja, becomes Akrūra's servant for the duration of the welcome, exactly as Akrūra had pictured. Bhagavān's hospitality is the cosmos's first and best.
My note
Source: vedabase.io