Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 16

Rantideva’s Supreme Charity and the Hastī Lineage

Hastināpura and Pañcāla Origins

Devanagari script

स वै तेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य नि:सङ्गो विगतस्पृह: । वासुदेवे भगवति भक्त्या चक्रे मन: परम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

sa vai tebhyo namaskṛtya niḥsaṅgo vigata-spṛhaḥ vāsudeve bhagavati bhaktyā cakre manaḥ param

Translation

King Rantideva had no ambition to enjoy material benefits from the demigods. He offered them obeisances, but because he was factually attached to Lord Viṣṇu, Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he fixed his mind at Lord Viṣṇu’s lotus feet.

Synonyms

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• tebhyaḥ: from them / to them (contextually: to them)
• tebhyaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान/पञ्चमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन

• namaskṛtya: having bowed/saluted
• namaskṛtya: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: namas + √kṛ (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (namas-kṛtya), क्त्वान्त/ल्यप् (gerund): ‘having saluted’

• niḥsaṅgaḥ: detached
• niḥsaṅgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥ-saṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्/निषेध-तत्पुरुषः (saṅga-rahitaḥ)

• vigata-spṛhaḥ: free from longing
• vigata-spṛhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vigata (प्रातिपदिक) + spṛhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (spṛhāyāḥ vigataḥ = free from desire)

• vāsudeve: in Vāsudeva
• vāsudeve: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāsudeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• bhagavati: in the Lord
• bhagavati: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषण-रूपेण (to vāsudeve)

• bhaktyā: with devotion
• bhaktyā: Karaṇa (करण/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• cakre: he placed/made
• cakre: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• manaḥ: mind
• manaḥ: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• param: supreme/fully absorbed
• param: Karma (कर्म/द्वितीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (manaḥ)

Purport

Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung:

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva

FAQs

How does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe fixing the mind on Vāsudeva?

This verse says one should become detached (niḥsaṅga) and free from hankering (vigata-spṛha), then, with bhakti, place the mind fully on Bhagavān Vāsudeva.

What are the qualities of a true devotee mentioned in this shloka?

The devotee offers respect, gives up worldly attachment, becomes free from material desires, and concentrates the mind on Vāsudeva through devotion.

How can I apply niḥsaṅga and vigata-spṛha in modern life?

Reduce unnecessary entanglements and desire-driven habits, keep respectful dealings with others, and daily redirect attention to Kṛṣṇa through hearing, chanting, and remembrance.