Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 16

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

राज्ञां ब्रह्मप्रसूतानां वंश त्रैकालिकोऽन्वय: । वंशानुचरितं तेषां वृत्तं वंशधराश्च ये ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

rājñāṁ brahma-prasūtānāṁ vaṁśas trai-kāliko ’nvayaḥ vaṁśānucaritaṁ teṣāṁ vṛttaṁ vaṁśa-dharās ca ye

Translation

Dynasties are lines of kings originating with Lord Brahmā and extending continuously through past, present and future. The accounts of such dynasties, especially of their most prominent members, constitute the subject of dynastic history.

Synonyms

• rājñām: of kings
• rājñām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन — Masculine, Genitive plural

• brahma-prasūtānām: born from Brahmā
• brahma-prasūtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + prasūta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √sū)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन — Masculine, Genitive plural; ‘ब्रह्मणः प्रसूताः’ (born from Brahmā) qualifying rājñām

• vaṁśaḥ: dynasty/lineage
• vaṁśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṁśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative singular

• trai-kālikaḥ: pertaining to the three times (past/present/future)
• trai-kālikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + ika (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative singular; द्विगु (three-times/three periods) qualifying vaṁśaḥ

• anvayaḥ: succession/continuity
• anvayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — Masculine, Nominative singular; in apposition/explanatory to vaṁśaḥ

• vaṁśa-anucaritam: the history of the dynasties
• vaṁśa-anucaritam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṁśa (प्रातिपदिक) + anucarita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √car with anu)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nom/Acc singular; ‘वंशस्य अनुचरितम्’ (account of the dynasty)

• teṣām: of them
• teṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन — Genitive plural (pronoun)

• vṛttam: deeds/events
• vṛttam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛtta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √vṛt)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — Neuter, Nom/Acc singular; ‘वृत्त’ = conduct/events

• vaṁśa-dharāḥ: lineage-bearers (successors)
• vaṁśa-dharāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaṁśa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative plural; ‘वंशं धरन्ति’ (upholders of the line)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन — Masculine, Nominative plural (relative pronoun)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the dynasties of kings across past, present, and future?

This verse states that the Bhāgavatam traces the succession of kings originating from Brahmā through all three phases of time—past, present, and future—along with their histories and descendants.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe royal genealogies in the Bhagavatam?

He presents dynastic lines to show the continuity of dharma through time, to situate sacred events in a historical framework, and to highlight how righteous and unrighteous conduct shapes generations.

How can studying dynastic history in the Bhagavatam be applied in modern life?

It encourages responsibility across generations—seeing how values, leadership, and character leave lasting results—and inspires one to uphold dharma and devotion as a legacy.