Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 20

Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

नमस्तस्मै भगवते वासुदेवाय साक्षिणे । य इदं कृपया कस्मै व्याचचक्षे मुमुक्षवे ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

namas tasmai bhagavate vāsudevāya sākṣiṇe ya idam kṛpayā kasmai vyācacakṣe mumukṣave

Translation

We offer our obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vāsudeva, the all-pervading witness, who mercifully explained this science to Brahmā when he anxiously desired salvation.

Synonyms

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: सम्बोधन/प्रयोग (salutatory)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (नमः-शब्दः प्रायः अव्ययवत्); नमस्कारार्थक (salutation particle)

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: सम्प्रदान (Dative/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन

• भगवते: to the Blessed Lord
• भगवते: सम्प्रदान (Dative/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन

• वासुदेवाय: to Vāsudeva
• वासुदेवाय: सम्प्रदान/विशेष्य-सम्बन्ध
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन; भगवतः विशेषणम्

• साक्षिणे: to the witness (indwelling observer)
• साक्षिणे: सम्प्रदान/विशेषण
• Type: Noun
• Root: साक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of Vāsudeva)

• यः: who
• यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• कृपया: by compassion
• कृपया: करण/हेतु (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• कस्मै: to whom?
• कस्मै: सम्प्रदान (Dative/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक

• व्याचचक्षे: explained/told
• व्याचचक्षे: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + आ + चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मुमुक्षवे: to the seeker of liberation
• मुमुक्षवे: सम्प्रदान (Dative/recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुमुक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative), एकवचन; इच्छार्थक-प्रातिपदिक (desiderative noun: 'one desiring liberation')

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Vāsudeva as the all-witness (sākṣī)?

This verse offers obeisances to Vāsudeva as sākṣī—the Supreme Lord who witnesses all—and honors Him as the compassionate source behind the Bhāgavatam’s revelation for the upliftment of seekers.

Why is Śrīmad Bhāgavatam described as being spoken out of compassion (kṛpayā)?

Because the Lord arranges that this scripture be clearly explained for the benefit of mumukṣus—those sincerely longing for liberation—so they can awaken realization and devotion.

Practical application of being a mumukṣu (seeker of liberation) in modern life?

Cultivate daily hearing/reading of Bhāgavatam with humility and purpose, using its teachings to detach from fleeting distractions and deepen devotion to the inner Witness, Vāsudeva.