Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 3

Lord Śiva Bewildered by Mohinī

Viṣṇu’s Yoga-māyā and the Limits of Ascetic Power

Devanagari script

सभाजितो भगवता सादरं सोमया भव: । सूपविष्ट उवाचेदं प्रतिपूज्य स्मयन्हरिम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

sabhājito bhagavatā sādaraṁ somayā bhavaḥ sūpaviṣṭa uvācedaṁ pratipūjya smayan harim

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead welcomed Lord Śiva and Umā with great respect, and after being seated comfortably, Lord Śiva duly worshiped the Lord and smilingly spoke as follows.

Synonyms

• सभाजितः: honoured
• सभाजितः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Predicate adjective of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + √भाज् (धातु) (क्त/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle): ‘honoured/respected’

• भगवता: by the Lord
• भगवता: करण (Karaṇa/Agent-instrument in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• सादरम्: respectfully
• सादरम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स + आदर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययभावे द्वितीया-एकवचन (accusative used adverbially): manner adverb ‘with respect’

• सोमया: with Somā (the goddess)
• सोमया: सहकारि (Associative companion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/सह), एकवचन; नाम (पार्वती/उमा-पर्याय)

• भवः: Bhava (Śiva)
• भवः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; शिव-नाम

• सु-उपविष्टः: well seated
• सु-उपविष्टः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + उपविष्ट (कृदन्त, उप + √विश्, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; अव्ययीभाव-प्रायः (सु + उपविष्टः = well-seated)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रतिपूज्य: having paid homage
• प्रतिपूज्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + √पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (gerund): ‘having duly worshipped/paid respects’

• स्मयन्: smiling
• स्मयन्: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √स्मि (धातु) (शतृ/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle): ‘smiling’

• हरिम्: Hari
• हरिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Hari/Viṣṇu)
• Bhava (Śiva)
• Soma (Candra)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the relationship between Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu?

This verse shows mutual honor: Lord Viṣṇu respectfully receives Śiva, and Śiva reciprocates with reverence, highlighting harmony and devotion centered on Hari.

Why did Lord Śiva smile while speaking to Hari in Bhagavatam 8.12.3?

Śiva’s smile reflects affectionate reverence and confidence in approaching the Lord, as the narrative is moving toward the discussion of Mohinī-mūrti and Viṣṇu’s divine līlā.

Practical application of humility and respect from this shloka in modern life?

Offer sincere respect, receive others graciously, and reciprocate honor—especially in spiritual discussions—so relationships remain grounded in humility and devotion.