Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 14

Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation

Devanagari script

वचनाद् देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्विश्वात्मन: प्रभो: । वाहनत्वे वृतस्तस्य बभूवेन्द्रो महावृष: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

vacanād deva-devasya viṣṇor viśvātmanaḥ prabhoḥ vāhanatve vṛtas tasya babhūvendro mahā-vṛṣaḥ

Translation

Purañjaya agreed to kill all the demons, on the condition that Indra would be his carrier. Because of pride, Indra could not accept this proposal, but later, by the order of the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, Indra did accept it and became a great bull carrier for Purañjaya.

Synonyms

• वचनात्: from/according to the word (command)
• वचनात्: Apadana (अपादान/source; 'because of/from the word')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• देवदेवस्य: of the God of gods
• देवदेवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानां देवः)

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• विश्वात्मनः: of the Soul of the universe
• विश्वात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विश्वस्य आत्मा)

• प्रभोः: of the Lord
• प्रभोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• वाहनत्वे: in the role of a vehicle/mount
• वाहनत्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; 'in the capacity of')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहनत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वृतः: chosen/appointed
• वृतः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तस्य: of him/of that (Lord)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• बभूव: became
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्/परिपूर्णभूत (Perfect), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• इन्द्रः: Indra
• इन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महावृषः: the great bull (name/epithet)
• महावृषः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् वृषः)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Indra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving Lord Vishnu even for powerful demigods like Indra?

This verse shows that even Indra, the king of heaven, accepts a subordinate role—becoming a carrier—simply by Lord Viṣṇu’s order, highlighting that true greatness is expressed through service to the Supreme.

Why did Indra become the carrier of Lord Vishnu in Bhagavatam Canto 9 Chapter 6?

Because Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord and Soul of the universe, commanded it; Indra was selected to serve in that capacity, indicating Viṣṇu’s supreme position and Indra’s obedience.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Adopt a seva mindset: accept guidance from higher principles (dharma and devotion), and express strength through humility, reliability, and service rather than ego or status.