Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 37

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

उत्थाय प्राञ्जलि: प्रह्व औत्सुक्यादाश्लिषन्निव । नमो नम इतीशानौ बभाशे गद्गदाक्षरम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

utthāya prāñjaliḥ prahva autsukyād āśliṣann iva namo nama itīśānau babhāṣe gadgadākṣaram

Translation

Standing with his hands folded in supplication and his head bowed in humility, Mārkaṇḍeya felt such eagerness that he imagined he was embracing the two Lords. In a voice choked with ecstasy, he repeatedly said, “I offer You my humble obeisances.”

Synonyms

• उत्थाय: having risen
• उत्थाय: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उत्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (having risen)

• प्राञ्जलिः: with joined palms
• प्राञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular); विशेषणम् (hands folded)

• प्रह्वः: bowed down
• प्रह्वः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रह्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular); विशेषणम् (bowed/humbled)

• औत्सुक्यात्: from eagerness
• औत्सुक्यात्: Hetu (हेतुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औत्सुक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (Ablative/5th), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• आश्लिषन्: embracing
• आश्लिषन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-श्लिष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्तः (Present active participle), प्रथमा एकवचन पुंलिङ्ग (Nom. sg. m.)

• इव: as if
• इव: Upamana-dyotaka (उपमान-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana/Prayoga (सम्बोधन/प्रयोगः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभूत-प्रयोगः (indeclinable interjection), नमस्कारार्थक (salutation)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana/Prayoga (सम्बोधन/प्रयोगः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभूत-प्रयोगः (indeclinable interjection), पुनरुक्ति (repetition for emphasis)

• इति: thus
• इति: Vakyartha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्य-समाप्ति-सूचक (quotative particle)

• ईशानौ: the two Lords
• ईशानौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचनम् (Dual)

• बभाषे: spoke
• बभाषे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकारः (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम् (Singular), आत्मनेपदम्

• गद्गद-अक्षरम्: words choked with emotion
• गद्गद-अक्षरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गद्गद (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः; नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular); ‘वचनम्’ इत्यर्थे कर्म

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi
• The two Lords (īśānau)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering obeisances (namo namaḥ) with devotion?

This verse shows that true obeisance is not merely formal; it arises from humility and intense longing to serve the Lord, even making one’s voice tremble with emotion.

Why did Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi speak with a choked voice when he saw the Lords?

Overwhelmed by darśana and eagerness to approach Them, his devotion became ecstatic (gadgada), so he could only utter repeated obeisances.

Practical application of humility and reverence from this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate respectful remembrance—pause, fold hands mentally or physically, and offer sincere gratitude/obeisance before prayer, study, or service, letting humility guide speech and action.