Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 58

Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava

Devanagari script

एतत्पयोव्रतं नाम पुरुषाराधनं परम् । पितामहेनाभिहितं मया ते समुदाहृतम् ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

etat payo-vrataṁ nāma puruṣārādhanaṁ param pitāmahenābhihitaṁ mayā te samudāhṛtam

Translation

This is the religious ritualistic ceremony known as payo-vrata, by which one may worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I received this information from Brahmā, my grandfather, and now I have described it to you in all details.

Synonyms

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् (payo-vratam)

• पयः-व्रतम्: the milk-vow (payo-vrata)
• पयः-व्रतम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); समासः—तत्पुरुष (milk-vow)

• नाम: called / by name
• नाम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/label)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम (अव्यय)
• Form: संज्ञासूचक-अव्यय (indeclinable indicating name: ‘called’)

• पुरुष-आराधनम्: worship of the Supreme Person
• पुरुष-आराधनम्: Apposition (समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + आराधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); समासः—तत्पुरुष (worship of the Supreme Person)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् (purṣārādhanaṁ)

• पितामहेन: by the grandsire (Brahmā)
• पितामहेन: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• अभिहितम्: taught / stated
• अभिहितम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-धा (धातु) → अभिहित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विशेषणम् (etat/payo-vratam)

• मया: by me
• मया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम (1st person pronoun), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम (2nd person pronoun), चतुर्थी/षष्ठी (Dative/Genitive), एकवचन (singular); here चतुर्थी (to you)

• समुदाहृतम्: fully described / recounted
• समुदाहृतम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-उद्-आ-हृ (धातु) → समुदाहृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular); विधेय-विशेषणम् (predicate adjective: ‘has been fully described’)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma (Pitamaha)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Payo-vrata?

This verse states that Payo-vrata is a supreme vow for worshiping the Supreme Person (Lord Viṣṇu), originally taught by Brahmā and narrated here by Śukadeva.

Why did Shukadeva Gosvami mention Brahma (Pitamaha) here?

Śukadeva highlights Brahmā as the original authority for this vow, strengthening its scriptural legitimacy while concluding his explanation to the listener.

Practical application of a devotional vrata in modern life?

Adopt a disciplined, devotion-centered observance—simple diet, regulated habits, and focused prayer to Lord Viṣṇu—keeping the purpose as heartfelt worship rather than mere ritual.