Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 13

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

सोऽभिषिक्तो महाराज: सुवासा: साध्वलड़्क़ृत: । पत्‍न्यार्चिषालड्‌क़ृतया विरेजेऽग्निरिवापर: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

so ’bhiṣikto mahārājaḥ suvāsāḥ sādhv-alaṅkṛtaḥ patnyārciṣālaṅkṛtayā vireje ’gnir ivāparaḥ

Translation

Thus the great King Pṛthu, exquisitely dressed with garments and ornaments, was coronated and placed on the throne. The King and his wife, Arci, who was also exquisitely ornamented, appeared exactly like fire.

Synonyms

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अभिषिक्तः: anointed, consecrated
• अभिषिक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-√सिच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/कर्मणि प्रयोगः (past passive participle)

• महाराजः: the great king
• महाराजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बोधनार्थे न, विशेष्य-विशेषणभावः (great king)

• सुवासाः: well-dressed
• सुवासाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (well-clad)

• साधु: properly, well
• साधु: Visheshana (विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साधु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• अलङ्कृतः: adorned
• अलङ्कृतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलम्-√कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• पत्नी: by (his) wife
• पत्नी: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्नी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• अर्चिषा: with radiance/splendour
• अर्चिषा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्चिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• अलङ्कृतया: adorned
• अलङ्कृतया: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलम्-√कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, पत्नी/अर्चिषा इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• विरेजे: shone forth
• विरेजे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√राज् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अग्निः: fire
• अग्निः: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/उपमा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमावाचक (particle of comparison)

• अपरः: another (as if a second)
• अपरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (another/second)

Characters & Entities

• King Pṛthu
• Arci

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about King Pṛthu’s coronation and glory?

This verse depicts Pṛthu Mahārāja being anointed as king, richly dressed and properly adorned, shining with splendor—emphasizing his divine, exemplary status as an ideal ruler.

Who is Arci in the story of Pṛthu Mahārāja, and why is she mentioned here?

Arci is Pṛthu’s queen; she is mentioned to show the auspicious completeness of royal and dharmic life—her presence and adornment enhance the king’s radiance and dignity.

What is the practical lesson from this shloka for modern life?

External honor and beauty are best when aligned with dharma—true brilliance comes from rightful duty, proper conduct, and supportive, sacred relationships.