Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19

Bhṛgu Tests the Trimūrti; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Visit Mahā-Viṣṇu and Recover the Brāhmaṇa’s Sons

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं सारस्वता विप्रा नृणां संशयनुत्तये । पुरुषस्य पदाम्भोजसेवया तद्गतिं गता: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ sārasvatā viprā nṛṇām saṁśaya-nuttaye puruṣasya padāmbhoja- sevayā tad-gatiṁ gatāḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The learned brāhmaṇas living along the river Sarasvatī came to this conclusion in order to dispel the doubts of all people. Thereafter they rendered devotional service to the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet and attained His abode.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक) + śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (उपाधि-युक्त नाम); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ittham: thus
• ittham: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारार्थक (thus/in this manner)

• sārasvatāḥ: Sārasvata
• sārasvatāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sārasvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (Sārasvata—of Sarasvatī region/lineage)

• viprāḥ: brāhmaṇas
• viprāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• nṛṇām: of men
• nṛṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• saṁśaya-nuttaye: for the removal of doubt
• saṁśaya-nuttaye: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁśaya (प्रातिपदिक) + nuttaye (√nud, तुमुन्/तव्य?; here: नुत्ति-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद: ‘संशयस्य नुत्तिः’ (removal of doubt); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थ (for the purpose)

• puruṣasya: of the Supreme Person
• puruṣasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• padāmbhoja-sevayā: by service to (his) lotus feet
• padāmbhoja-sevayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक) + ambhoja (प्रातिपदिक) + sevā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी): ‘पदाम्भोजस्य सेवा’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• tad-gatim: that goal/destination
• tad-gatim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी): ‘तस्य गतिः’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• gatāḥ: attained (went to)
• gatāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (धातु) (क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (they) having gone/attained

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Sārasvata brāhmaṇas
• Puruṣa (Supreme Person)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about removing doubts in spiritual life?

This verse says doubts are dispelled by taking shelter of bhakti—specifically, by serving the lotus feet of the Supreme Person—leading one to the highest destination.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention the Sārasvata brāhmaṇas here?

He cites them as an example of realized devotees who clarified people’s uncertainties and, through devotion to the Lord’s lotus feet, attained the supreme goal.

Practical application: how can I apply “service to the lotus feet” today?

Engage in sincere devotional practices—hearing and chanting about the Lord, worship, humble service, and seeking guidance from devotees—so faith becomes steady and doubts naturally diminish.