Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 15

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

तस्य त्रिभुवनाधीशा: फलदा: फलमिच्छताम् । आत्मानं दर्शयां चक्रुर्माया विष्णुविनिर्मिता: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

tasya tribhuvanādhīśāḥ phaladāḥ phalam icchatām ātmānaṁ darśayāṁ cakrur māyā viṣṇu-vinirmitāḥ

Translation

Demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva, who can satisfy all materially ambitious men by giving them the rewards they desire, then manifested their own identities before King Rantideva, for it was they who had presented themselves as the brāhmaṇa, śūdra, caṇḍāla and so on.

Synonyms

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• tribhuvana-adhīśāḥ: lords of the three worlds
• tribhuvana-adhīśāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + bhuvana (प्रातिपदिक) + adhīśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (tribhuvanasya adhīśāḥ)

• phaladāḥ: givers of fruits (results)
• phaladāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phala-da (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (phalāni dadāti iti)

• phalam: a boon/result
• phalam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• icchatām: of those who desire
• icchatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘of those desiring’

• ātmānam: themselves
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• darśayām: in order to show
• darśayām: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु) + ṇic (णिच् causative) + am (आम्)
• Form: हेतुमति-धातोः (causative) कृदन्त-अव्यय (infinitival/absolutive-like form in -ām used with √kṛ: ‘to show’), कर्मणि-प्रयोजनार्थे

• cakruḥ: they did/made
• cakruḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• māyāḥ: illusory forms
• māyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• viṣṇu-vinirmitāḥ: created by Viṣṇu
• viṣṇu-vinirmitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक) + vinirmita (प्रातिपदिक; √mā/√mī? from √mā ‘to measure/make’ with vi-nir)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (viṣṇunā vinirmitāḥ) विशेषणम् (māyāḥ)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Tribhuvanādhīśāḥ (celestial rulers)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about demigods granting boons?

This verse explains that the rulers of the three worlds can grant results to those who seek them, but their ability and even their manifestation is arranged by Viṣṇu through His māyā.

Why does the Bhagavatam mention Viṣṇu’s māyā in relation to the lords of the three worlds?

To show that all cosmic administration and the visibility/power of celestial rulers ultimately operates under the supreme arrangement of Lord Viṣṇu, not independently.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Seek lasting spiritual shelter in the Supreme (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa) rather than relying only on temporary, result-based pursuits—recognizing that all worldly outcomes are governed by a higher divine order.