Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 31

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

द‍ृष्ट्वा निस्तेजसं कामं सगणं भगवान् स्वराट् । श्रुत्वानुभावं ब्रह्मर्षेर्विस्मयं समगात् परम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

dṛṣṭvā nistejasaṁ kāmaṁ sa-gaṇaṁ bhagavān svarāṭ śrutvānubhāvaṁ brahmarṣer vismayaṁ samagāt param

Translation

The mighty King Indra was most astonished when he heard of the mystic prowess of the exalted sage Mārkaṇḍeya and saw how Cupid and his associates had become powerless in his presence.

Synonyms

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; adverbial modifier of main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from √dṛś; indeclinable verbal form; ‘having seen’

• nistejasam: devoid of splendor
• nistejasam: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nis-tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying ‘kāmam’; compound: nis- (without) + tejas (splendor)

• kāmam: Kāma (Cupid/desire personified)
• kāmam: Karma (कर्म; direct object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sa-gaṇam: with his attendants
• sa-gaṇam: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa-gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying ‘kāmam’; compound: sa- (with) + gaṇa (retinue)

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Kartā (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• svarāṭ: the self-sovereign (independent ruler)
• svarāṭ: Kartā (कर्ता; subject-apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svarāṭ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to ‘bhagavān’

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; adverbial modifier)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from √śru; ‘having heard’

• anubhāvam: the power/majesty (effect, prowess)
• anubhāvam: Karma (कर्म; object of ‘śrutvā’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anubhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• brahmarṣeḥ: of the brahmarṣi (great seer)
• brahmarṣeḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध; genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmarṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; compound: brahma + ṛṣi

• vismayam: astonishment
• vismayam: Karma (कर्म; object—state attained)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vismaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• samagāt: attained/reached
• samagāt: Kriyā (क्रिया; main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√gam (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; from √gam with prefix sam-

• param: supreme, utmost
• param: Karma (कर्म; object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; adjective qualifying ‘vismayam’

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān
• Kāma (Cupid)
• Brahmarṣi (Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about conquering lust (kāma)?

This verse shows Kāma losing his splendor before higher spiritual power—implying that lust is subdued by profound tapasya and realized devotion, not by mere suppression.

Why is the Lord described as svarāṭ (fully independent) here?

The verse emphasizes that the Supreme Lord is self-sovereign and not compelled by any force; He witnesses events and responds by His own will, even while acknowledging the remarkable potency of His devotee-sage.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life when facing temptation?

Cultivate steady sādhana—prayer, mantra-japa, and disciplined habits—so that lower impulses gradually lose their “tejas” (pull), replaced by higher taste and clarity.