Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 4

Kāla-cakra and the Motions of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Grahas

Bhāgavata Jyotiṣa Framework

Devanagari script

तमेतमिह पुरुषास्त्रय्या विद्यया वर्णाश्रमाचारानुपथा उच्चावचै: कर्मभिराम्नातैर्योगवितानैश्च श्रद्धया यजन्तोऽञ्जसा श्रेय: समधिगच्छन्ति ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

tam etam iha puruṣās trayyā vidyayā varṇāśramācārānupathā uccāvacaiḥ karmabhir āmnātair yoga-vitānaiś ca śraddhayā yajanto ’ñjasā śreyaḥ samadhigacchanti.

Translation

According to the system of four varṇas and four āśramas, people generally worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, who is situated as the sun-god. With great faith they worship the Supreme Personality as the Supersoul according to ritualistic ceremonies handed down in the three Vedas, such as agnihotra and similar higher and lower fruitive acts, and according to the process of mystic yoga. In this way they very easily attain the ultimate goal of life.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• etam: this (same one)
• etam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• iha: here
• iha: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Deśa-avyaya (adverb of place)

• puruṣāḥ: people
• puruṣāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• trayyā: by the threefold Veda
• trayyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trayī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• vidyayā: by knowledge
• vidyayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• varṇa-āśrama-ācāra-anupathāḥ: following the conduct-path of varṇa and āśrama
• varṇa-āśrama-ācāra-anupathāḥ: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āśrama (प्रातिपदिक) + ācāra (प्रातिपदिक) + anupatha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; bahupada-tatpuruṣa: 'following the path of conduct of varṇas and āśramas'

• uccāvacaiḥ: various (high and low)
• uccāvacaiḥ: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uccāvacā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (as adj to karmabhiḥ) Puṁliṅga/napuṁsaka, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; 'high and low/varied'

• karmabhiḥ: by actions/rites
• karmabhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṁsaka, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana

• āmnātaiḥ: prescribed (by tradition)
• āmnātaiḥ: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āmnāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; ā + √mnā/√man 'to hand down')
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; past participle used adjectivally: 'handed down/ordained'

• yoga-vitānaiḥ: with yogic procedures
• yoga-vitānaiḥ: Karaṇa-viśeṣaṇa (करण-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + vitāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: 'with the extensions/arrangements of yoga'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• śraddhayā: with faith
• śraddhayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śraddhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• yajantaḥ: worshipping/sacrificing
• yajantaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yaj (धातु)
• Form: Vartamāna-kāla, kartari-prayoga, śatṛ (present active participle); Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana

• añjasā: directly, easily
• añjasā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: añjas (प्रातिपदिक/avyaya-usage)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb 'straightway/easily' (instrumental-form used adverbially)

• śreyaḥ: the highest good
• śreyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṁsaka, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Acc, 2nd), Ekavacana

• samadhigacchanti: attain
• samadhigacchanti: Kriyā (मुख्य-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam + adhi + gam (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ lakāra (present), Parasmaipada; Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Bahuvacana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about attaining śreyaḥ (the highest good)?

This verse states that one attains śreyaḥ by worshiping the Supreme Person with faith, following Vedic guidance—varṇāśrama conduct, prescribed duties, and yogic disciplines.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention varṇāśrama and Vedic duties in Canto 5?

While describing the cosmos and the Supreme Lord’s arrangement, Śukadeva emphasizes that human life becomes successful when ordered duties and Vedic processes are used to worship Him, leading to the highest welfare.

Practical application of varṇāśrama and śraddhā in modern life?

Align daily work and responsibilities with ethical discipline and faith, and consciously offer one’s actions and practices (study, service, meditation) as worship to the Supreme—so spiritual benefit becomes direct and steady.