Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20

Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint

Devanagari script

श्रीनारद उवाच \स इत्थं दैत्यपतिना परिपृष्टो महामुनि: । स्मयमानस्तमभ्याह तद्वागमृतयन्त्रित: ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

śrī-nārada uvāca sa itthaṁ daitya-patinā paripṛṣṭo mahā-muniḥ smayamānas tam abhyāha tad-vāg-amṛta-yantritaḥ

Translation

Nārada Muni continued: When the saintly person was thus questioned by Prahlāda Mahārāja, the King of the Daityas, he was captivated by this shower of nectarean words, and he replied to the inquisitiveness of Prahlāda Mahārāja with a smiling face.

Synonyms

• śrī-nāradaḥ: Śrī Nārada
• śrī-nāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (उपपद) + nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (honorific): ‘श्रीमान् नारदः’

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

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

• ittham: thus
• ittham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus, in this manner)

• daitya-patinā: by the lord of the Daityas
• daitya-patinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daitya (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘दैत्यानां पतिः’

• paripṛṣṭaḥ: having been questioned
• paripṛṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari + pra + √prach (धातु) → pṛṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग: ‘having been asked’

• mahā-muniḥ: the great sage
• mahā-muniḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘महान् मुनिः’

• smayamānaḥ: smiling
• smayamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smi (धातु) → smayamāna (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘smiling’

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• abhyāha: addressed/spoke to
• abhyāha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi + ā + √ah (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘spoke to/addressed’

• tad-vāk-amṛta-yantritaḥ: captivated by the nectar of his words
• tad-vāk-amṛta-yantritaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम) + vāk (प्रातिपदिक) + amṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + yantrita (कृदन्त; √yam/यन्त्र्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘तस्य वाक्-अमृतेण यन्त्रितः’ = captivated/controlled by the nectar of his words

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• Hiraṇyakaśipu

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 7.13.20 describe?

It narrates that Nārada Muni, after being questioned by Hiraṇyakaśipu, replies smiling—suggesting a composed, compassionate delivery of dharma-teachings.

Why did Nārada Muni smile while replying to Hiraṇyakaśipu?

The verse indicates Nārada was serene and inwardly steady; he responded gently, moved by the ‘nectar-like’ quality of the king’s earnest inquiry, even though the questioner was a Daitya ruler.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

When questioned—even by hostile or difficult people—respond with calmness, clarity, and goodwill; dharmic truth is best communicated without agitation.