Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 23

Bali Liberated, Prahlāda Blessed, and Vāmana Accepted as Universal Protector

Devanagari script

वेदानां सर्वदेवानां धर्मस्य यशस: श्रिय: । मङ्गलानां व्रतानां च कल्पं स्वर्गापवर्गयो: ॥ २२ ॥ उपेन्द्रं कल्पयांचक्रे पतिं सर्वविभूतये । तदा सर्वाणि भूतानि भृशं मुमुदिरे नृप ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

vedānāṁ sarva-devānāṁ dharmasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ maṅgalānāṁ vratānāṁ ca kalpaṁ svargāpavargayoḥ

Translation

O King Parīkṣit, Indra was considered the King of all the universe, but the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmā, wanted Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, as the protector of the Vedas, the principles of religion, fame, opulence, auspiciousness, vows, elevation to the higher planetary system, and liberation. Thus they accepted Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, as the supreme master of everything. This decision made all living entities extremely happy.

Synonyms

• उपेन्द्रम्: Upendra (Vāmana)
• उपेन्द्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• कल्पयाम्-चक्रे: appointed/arranged
• कल्पयाम्-चक्रे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कॢप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परिप्रयोगः: ‘कल्पयाम्’ इति लिट्-पूर्वरूप/वृद्धि-प्रयोगः (periphrastic perfect sense: ‘he arranged/appointed’)

• पतिम्: as lord
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; उपेन्द्रम् इति विशेष्यस्य विधेय-सम्बन्धः (as predicate accusative)

• सर्व-विभूतये: for all prosperity/powers
• सर्व-विभूतये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + विभूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सर्वा विभूतिः)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (भूतानि इति विशेष्य)

• भूतानि: beings
• भूतानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• भृशम्: greatly
• भृशम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भृशम् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner/intensity)

• मुमुदिरे: rejoiced
• मुमुदिरे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मुद् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• नृप: O king
• नृप: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about svarga (heaven) and apavarga (liberation)?

This verse states that the Lord is the ultimate regulator and arranger of both heavenly attainment and liberation—both outcomes depend on His supreme order.

Who is described as the foundation of the Vedas and all demigods in Canto 8?

The verse attributes that role to the Supreme Lord (Vishnu), presenting Him as the underlying principle behind the Vedas, the devas, and the fruits of dharma.

Practical application of vows (vrata) and dharma in modern life according to Bhagavatam?

Practice vows and duties as offerings to the Supreme Lord, remembering that auspicious results—material or spiritual—ultimately rest on His sanction.