Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 47

Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana

Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti

Devanagari script

तस्मात्कर्मसु बर्हिष्मन्नज्ञानादर्थकाशिषु । मार्थद‍ृष्टिं कृथा: श्रोत्रस्पर्शिष्वस्पृष्टवस्तुषु ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

tasmāt karmasu barhiṣmann ajñānād artha-kāśiṣu mārtha-dṛṣṭiṁ kṛthāḥ śrotra- sparśiṣv aspṛṣṭa-vastuṣu

Translation

My dear King Barhiṣmān, you should never out of ignorance take to the Vedic rituals or to fruitive activity, which may be pleasing to hear about or which may appear to be the goal of self-interest. You should never take these to be the ultimate goal of life.

Synonyms

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात् इति निपातवत् (ablatival indeclinable usage): "therefore/from that" (originally Ablative/पञ्चमी, एकवचन)

• karmasu: in actions/ritual acts
• karmasu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• barhiṣman: O Barhiṣman
• barhiṣman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: barhiṣman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• ajñānāt: from ignorance
• ajñānāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/पञ्चमी), एकवचन

• artha-kāśiṣu: seeming to have value
• artha-kāśiṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: artha + kāśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; विशेषण of implied "karmasu"; समास: अर्थ-काशिन् = "appearing as meaningful/profitable"

• mā: do not
• mā: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mā (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (prohibitive particle) used with imperative: "do not"

• artha-dṛṣṭim: a utilitarian/gain-seeking view
• artha-dṛṣṭim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha + dṛṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; समास: अर्थ-दृष्टि = "view as (mere) gain/utility"

• kṛthāḥ: you should do/make
• kṛthāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/लोट्), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• śrotra-sparśiṣu: audible (ear-touching)
• śrotra-sparśiṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrotra + sparśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; विशेषण of "vastuṣu"; समास: श्रोत्र-स्पर्शिन् = "touching the ear / audible"

• aspṛṣṭa-vastuṣu: in insubstantial/untouchable things
• aspṛṣṭa-vastuṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-spṛṣṭa + vastu (कृदन्त + प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; समास: अस्पृष्ट-वस्तु = "untouched/insubstantial things" (a-spṛṣṭa: √spṛś + क्त, negated)

Purport

In Bhagavad-gītā (2.42-43) it is said:

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• King Prācīnabarhi (Barhiṣmat)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about fruitive rituals performed for material gain?

This verse warns that karma performed with the aim of material profit is rooted in ignorance and only appears attractive; it does not give lasting fulfillment or liberation.

Why did Nārada Muni say this to King Prācīnabarhi (Barhiṣmat)?

Because the king was strongly inclined toward elaborate sacrifices and worldly results; Nārada redirects him from karma-centered goals to spiritual understanding and the higher path of devotion.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Reduce chasing pleasures that are only sensory and temporary (entertainment, touch-based indulgence), and re-aim effort toward lasting spiritual practices—hearing, chanting, and serving the Lord with devotion.