Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 17

Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation

Devanagari script

सदा सन्तुष्टमनस: सर्वा: शिवमया दिश: । शर्कराकण्टकादिभ्यो यथोपानत्पद: शिवम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

sadā santuṣṭa-manasaḥ sarvāḥ śivamayā diśaḥ śarkarā-kaṇṭakādibhyo yathopānat-padaḥ śivam

Translation

For a person who has suitable shoes on his feet, there is no danger even when he walks on pebbles and thorns. For him, everything is auspicious. Similarly, for one who is always self-satisfied there is no distress; indeed, he feels happiness everywhere.

Synonyms

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• सन्तुष्टमनसः: of one whose mind is content
• सन्तुष्टमनसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (सन्तुष्टं मनः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifies दिशः)

• शिवमयाः: auspicious/filled with good
• शिवमयाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + मयट् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समासार्थ (शिवेन मयाः = filled with auspiciousness); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• दिशः: directions
• दिशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• शर्कराकण्टकादिभ्यः: from gravel, thorns, and the like
• शर्कराकण्टकादिभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर्करा (प्रातिपदिक) + कण्टक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (शर्कराश्च कण्टकाश्च) + आदिः (etc.); पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), बहुवचन

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक/प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (as/just as)

• उपानत्पदः: one who has sandals on his feet
• उपानत्पदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानत् (प्रातिपदिक) + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि-समास (उपानत् पादौ यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिवम्: auspiciousness/well-being
• शिवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about contentment (santoṣa)?

This verse teaches that when the mind is satisfied, one perceives every situation as auspicious; contentment acts like protective footwear, reducing the pain caused by life’s “thorns” such as troubles and insults.

Why does Prahlāda Mahārāja speak about contentment in Canto 7 Chapter 15?

In his instructions on proper conduct and spiritual life, Prahlāda highlights inner qualities that support bhakti; contentment steadies the mind so one can practice devotion without being shaken by external conditions.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Cultivate gratitude and regulated living, reduce unnecessary desires, and anchor the mind in devotion—then challenges still exist, but they hurt far less, like walking with shoes on rough ground.