Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 24

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्यामो येऽस्मद्रूपं त्रयीमयम् । बिभ्रत्यात्मसमाधानतप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇebhyo namasyāmo ye ’smad-rūpaṁ trayī-mayam bibhraty ātma-samādhāna- tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ

Translation

By meditating upon the Supreme Soul, performing austerities, engaging in Vedic study and following regulative principles, the brāhmaṇas sustain within themselves the three Vedas, which are nondifferent from Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and me. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto the brāhmaṇas.

Synonyms

• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: to the brāhmaṇas
• brāhmaṇebhyaḥ: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/to whom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन

• namasyāmaḥ: we bow (offer obeisance)
• namasyāmaḥ: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक) + √as (धातु) / denominative ‘namasy’
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपदम्; उत्तमपुरुष, बहुवचन; धातुरूपम्: नमस्यति (to bow to)

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता/relative subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: यत्-सर्वनाम; प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग

• asmat-rūpam: our form
• asmat-rūpam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmat (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अस्मद्-रूप = our form); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• trayī-mayam: consisting of the three Vedas
• trayī-mayam: Visheshana (विशेषण/modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: trayī (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (trayī-maya = consisting of the three Vedas); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (asmat-rūpam)

• bibhrati: they bear / uphold
• bibhrati: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhṛ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• ātma-samādhāna-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ: by self-control, concentration, austerity, self-study, and restraint
• ātma-samādhāna-tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ: Karana (करण/instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + samādhāna (प्रातिपदिक) + tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + svādhyāya (प्रातिपदिक) + saṁyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva list); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; साधनभूत-समुच्चयः

Purport

A pure devotee of the Supreme Lord is considered the most elevated of brāhmaṇas, since all spiritual endeavor culminates in the loving service of God.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring brāhmaṇas?

This verse teaches that brāhmaṇas should be offered respectful obeisances because they represent the Vedic form—upholding sacred knowledge through austerity, study, self-control, and inner steadiness.

Why does Suta Gosvami glorify the brāhmaṇas in this verse?

In Canto 12’s concluding teachings, Suta emphasizes the spiritual foundation of dharma: the Vedic tradition is preserved by disciplined brāhmaṇas, and honoring them supports the continuity of sacred wisdom.

Practical application of svādhyāya and saṁyama in modern life?

Adopt a daily practice of scriptural reading/recitation (svādhyāya) and regulated habits (saṁyama)—such as mindful speech, controlled senses, and steady meditation—to cultivate clarity and devotion.