Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 47

Rājasūya: Agrapūjā for Kṛṣṇa and the Slaying (and Liberation) of Śiśupāla

Devanagari script

ऋत्विग्भ्य: ससदस्येभ्यो दक्षिणां विपुलामदात् । सर्वान् सम्पूज्य विधिवच्चक्रेऽवभृथमेकराट् ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

ṛtvigbhyaḥ sa-sadasyebhyo dakṣināṁ vipulām adāt sarvān sampūjya vidhi-vac cakre ’vabhṛtham eka-rāṭ

Translation

Emperor Yudhiṣṭhira gave generous gifts to the sacrificial priests and the members of the assembly, properly honoring them all in the manner prescribed by the Vedas. He then took the avabhṛtha bath.

Synonyms

• ऋत्विग्भ्यः: to the priests
• ऋत्विग्भ्यः: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), बहुवचन

• स-सदस्येभ्यः: to (them) along with the officiating members
• स-सदस्येभ्यः: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश ‘with’) + सदस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), बहुवचन; ‘स-’ = सहार्थक-पूर्वपद (with the members/assistants)

• दक्षिणाम्: a priestly fee, gift
• दक्षिणाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• विपुलाम्: abundant, great
• विपुलाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (दक्षिणाम्)

• अदात्: gave
• अदात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• सर्वान्: all (of them)
• सर्वान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन; (ऋत्विजः/सदस्याः) सर्वान्

• सम्पूज्य: having honored
• सम्पूज्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having duly honored’

• विधि-वत्: according to the prescribed rite
• विधि-वत्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) ‘according to rule/rite’

• चक्रे: performed
• चक्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• अवभृथम्: the concluding bath (avabhṛtha)
• अवभृथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवभृथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• एक-राट्: the sole ruler (king)
• एक-राट्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + राट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘एकः राट्’ = sole sovereign

Characters & Entities

• Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

FAQs

What is the avabhṛtha bath in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

It is the concluding ceremonial bath performed after completing a Vedic sacrifice; here the emperor completes the Rājasūya by performing the avabhṛtha according to proper ritual.

Why did Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira give dakṣiṇā to the priests and assembly members?

Because Vedic yajñas are completed by properly honoring the ṛtviks and learned participants; abundant dakṣiṇā signifies gratitude, dharma, and the rightful completion of the sacrifice.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Complete spiritual or charitable undertakings with integrity—honor those who serve, follow proper principles, and finish responsibilities respectfully rather than leaving them incomplete.