Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 3

Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being

Devanagari script

भवान्प्रजापते: साक्षादात्मज: परमेष्ठिन: । सुतानां सम्मतो ब्रह्मंस्तपोयोगसमाधिभि: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

bhavān prajāpateḥ sākṣād ātmajaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ sutānāṁ sammato brahmaṁs tapo-yoga-samādhibhiḥ

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, you are directly the son of Prajāpati [Lord Brahmā]. Because of your austerities, mystic yoga and trance, you are considered the best of all of Lord Brahmā’s sons.

Synonyms

• bhavān: you (honored)
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma-prayoga (pronoun-like), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• prajāpateḥ: of Prajāpati
• prajāpateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajāpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• sākṣāt: directly, in person
• sākṣāt: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Adverbial qualifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sākṣāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• ātmajaḥ: son
• ātmajaḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātma-ja (आत्मन् + ज, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ātman-aḥ jaḥ = born of self); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin)
• parameṣṭhinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameṣṭhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Singular (एकवचन)

• sutānām: among/of the sons
• sutānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sammataḥ: approved, esteemed
• sammataḥ: Pradhāna-nāma (प्रधान/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-mata (√man, कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP) from √man (मनँ—to think/consider) with उपसर्ग sam-; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• brahman: O brāhmaṇa
• brahman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• tapasā: by austerity
• tapasā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• yogena: by yoga
• yogena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन)

• samādhibhiḥ: by (states of) samādhi
• samādhibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samādhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda Mahārāja
• Nārada Muni
• Brahmā (Parameṣṭhī)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.3 say about Nārada Muni?

It praises Nārada as the direct son of Brahmā and as the most respected among Brahmā’s sons due to his austerity, yoga, and samādhi—signs of profound spiritual realization.

Why did Prahlāda Mahārāja glorify Nārada Muni in Canto 7 Chapter 11?

In the context of instructing on dharma and ideal social-spiritual order, Prahlāda first honors Nārada—the revered authority and saintly teacher—before presenting teachings grounded in purity and realization.

How can tapasya, yoga, and samādhi be applied in modern devotional life?

By adopting disciplined habits (tapasya), steady spiritual practice (yoga as regulated sādhanā), and focused remembrance of the Lord (samādhi as deep absorption), one gains clarity, humility, and stronger bhakti.