Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 7

The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute

Devanagari script

तत्रोपविष्टमृषिभि: कलापग्रामवासिभि: । परीतं प्रणतोऽपृच्छदिदमेव कुरूद्वह ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

tatropaviṣṭam ṛṣibhiḥ kalāpa-grāma-vāsibhiḥ parītaṁ praṇato ’pṛcchad idam eva kurūdvaha

Translation

There Nārada approached Lord Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi, who was sitting amidst sages of the village of Kalāpa. After bowing down to the Lord, O hero of the Kurus, Nārada asked Him the very same question you have asked me.

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of place (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• upaviṣṭam: seated
• upaviṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-√viś (विश्) (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); past participle (क्त) ‘seated’ (object of implied ‘saw/approached’)

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by/with sages
• ṛṣibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

• kalāpa-grāma-vāsibhiḥ: by the residents of Kalāpa village
• kalāpa-grāma-vāsibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalāpa + grāma + vāsin (प्रातिपदिक; vāsin = √vas (वस्) + णिनि/इन्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास: ‘kalāpa-grāme vāsinaḥ’

• parītam: surrounded
• parītam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-√i (इ) (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); past participle (क्त) ‘surrounded’

• praṇataḥ: having bowed
• praṇataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√nam (नम्) (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); past participle (क्त) ‘bowed down’

• apṛcchat: asked
• apṛcchat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √prach (प्रच्छ्) (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha/Discourse marker (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of emphasis/restriction (निपात)

• kurūdvaha: O best of the Kurus
• kurūdvaha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuru-udvaha (प्रातिपदिक; kuru + udvaha)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास ‘kurūṇām udvahaḥ’

Characters & Entities

• King Parīkṣit
• Sage Nārāyaṇa (of Badarikāśrama)
• Ṛṣis of Kalāpa-grāma

FAQs

What is the proper way to approach a sage or guru according to Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse highlights the ideal approach: one should first bow down in humility and then inquire sincerely about the spiritual subject one seeks to understand.

Why does King Parīkṣit bow down before asking his question?

Because Bhagavata culture emphasizes reverence and humility toward realized sages; respectful surrender prepares the heart to receive deeper knowledge.

How can I apply this teaching—humble inquiry—in modern spiritual life?

Approach authentic teachers with respect, listen carefully, and ask focused questions about the essential topic—devotion and realization—rather than arguing or seeking prestige.