Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 18

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship

Devanagari script

व्यञ्जिताशेषगात्रश्रीर्नियमे न्यस्तभूषण: । कृष्णाजिनधर: श्रीमान् कुशपाणि:कृतोचित: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

vyañjitāśeṣa-gātra-śrīr niyame nyasta-bhūṣaṇaḥ kṛṣṇājina-dharaḥ śrīmān kuśa-pāṇiḥ kṛtocitaḥ

Translation

As Mahārāja Pṛthu was being initiated to perform the sacrifice, he had to leave aside his valuable dress, and therefore his natural bodily beauty was visible. It was very pleasing to see him put on a black deerskin and wear a ring of kuśa grass on his finger, for this increased the natural beauty of his body. It appears that Mahārāja Pṛthu observed all the regulative principles before he performed the sacrifice.

Synonyms

• vyañjita-aśeṣa-gātra-śrīḥ: whose bodily splendor was fully manifest
• vyañjita-aśeṣa-gātra-śrīḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyañjita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √vyañj) + aśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + gātra (प्रातिपदिक) + śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—यस्य गात्र-श्रीः (देहकान्तिः/शोभा) अशेषतः (सर्वतः) व्यञ्जिता (प्रकाशिता) सा

• niyame: in (his) regulated observance
• niyame: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Saptamī Ekavacana; ‘नियमे’ = नियमव्रते/अनुष्ठाने

• nyasta-bhūṣaṇaḥ: wearing/arranged with ornaments
• nyasta-bhūṣaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nyasta (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √as with ni-) + bhūṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—यस्य भूषणानि न्यस्तानि (स्थापितानि/धृतानि) सः

• kṛṣṇa-ajina-dharaḥ: wearing a black deerskin
• kṛṣṇa-ajina-dharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ajina (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √dhṛ)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष—kṛṣṇam ajinam dharati iti (कृष्णाजिनं धारयति)

• śrīmān: splendid, illustrious
• śrīmān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrīmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• kuśa-pāṇiḥ: having kuśa grass in hand
• kuśa-pāṇiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—यस्य पाणौ कुशाः सन्ति/धृताः सः

• kṛta-ucitaḥ: properly composed/behaving with decorum
• kṛta-ucitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √kṛ) + ucita (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √uc)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; कर्मधारय—कृतं च तत् उचितं च/कृतोचितः = कृत-औचित्यः (सम्यगाचरणयुक्तः)

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of an ideal ruler (rājarṣi)?

This verse depicts Pṛthu Mahārāja as a rājarṣi—splendid yet self-restrained—who sets aside ornamentation and adopts the disciplined, austere demeanor of a sacred practitioner.

Why does Pṛthu Mahārāja wear a black deerskin and hold kuśa grass?

These are traditional emblems of Vedic discipline and ritual readiness, showing that despite royal status he approached dharma with humility, purity, and proper observance.

How can I apply the teaching of niyama (disciplined vows) in modern life?

Adopt purposeful restraint—simplify unnecessary display, keep steady daily spiritual practices, and cultivate dignity through self-control rather than external ornamentation.