Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 63

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

Devanagari script

तपोवनं गते तस्मिन्प्रविष्टोऽन्त:पुरं मुनि: । अर्हितार्हणको राज्ञा सुखासीन उवाच तम् ॥ ६३ ॥

Transliteration

tapo-vanaṁ gate tasmin praviṣṭo ’ntaḥ-puraṁ muniḥ arhitārhaṇako rājñā sukhāsīna uvāca tam

Translation

After Dhruva entered Madhuvana Forest to execute devotional service, the great sage Nārada thought it wise to go to the King to see how he was faring within the palace. When Nārada Muni approached, the King received him properly, offering him due obeisances. After being seated comfortably, Nārada began to speak.

Synonyms

• तपोवनम्: to the forest of austerities (hermitage-forest)
• तपोवनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् + वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (तपसः वनम्)

• गते: (when) gone
• गते: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative absolute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; ‘तस्मिन् गते’ = when he had gone

• तस्मिन्: when he/that (person)
• तस्मिन्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative absolute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरणे (locative)

• प्रविष्टः: having entered
• प्रविष्टः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-विश् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; मुनिः इति कर्तरि विशेषणम्

• अन्तःपुरम्: the inner palace, harem/inner apartments
• अन्तःपुरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तः + पुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (अन्तः इति अव्ययपूर्वकं ‘inner palace’)

• मुनिः: the sage
• मुनिः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अर्हितार्हणकः: duly honored (with proper reception)
• अर्हितार्हणकः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्हित + अर्हणक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (अर्हितः अर्हणकः = duly honored/received with honor)

• राज्ञा: by the king
• राज्ञा: कर्ता (Kartā/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुखासीनः: seated comfortably
• सुखासीनः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख + आसीन (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (सुखेन आसीनः = seated comfortably)

• उवाच: said, spoke
• उवाच: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• तम्: to him
• तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• King Uttānapāda
• Dhruva

FAQs

What is Tapovana in Srimad Bhagavatam and why did Dhruva go there?

Tapovana refers to a sacred forest/āśrama meant for austerity and spiritual practice. Dhruva went there to perform tapasya and seek the Lord under the guidance of saintly instruction.

Why did Nārada Muni enter the palace inner chambers after Dhruva left?

After Dhruva departed for austerities, Nārada approached King Uttānapāda privately to counsel him—guiding the king through remorse and helping him align with dharma and devotion.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

It highlights seeking wise guidance in times of family crisis: when a loved one takes a difficult spiritual or life path, counsel from a genuine teacher can bring clarity, responsibility, and peace.