Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 15

Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial

Devanagari script

तं पूजयित्वा विधिवत्प्रत्युत्थानार्हणादिभि: । कृतातिथ्यमुपासीदत्सुखासीनं समाहित: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ pūjayitvā vidhivat pratyutthānārhaṇādibhiḥ kṛtātithyam upāsīdat sukhāsīnaṁ samāhitaḥ

Translation

Citraketu immediately stood up from his throne and offered him worship. He offered drinking water and eatables and in this way performed his duty as a host to a great guest. When the ṛṣi was seated very comfortably, the King, restraining his mind and senses, sat on the ground at the side of the ṛṣi’s feet.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped/honoured
• पूजयित्वा: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूज् (धातु) + क्त्वा (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having done)

• विधिवत्: according to rule, duly
• विधिवत्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), प्रकारवाचक

• प्रत्युत्थान-अर्हण-आदिभिः: by (acts such as) rising to greet, offering worship, etc.
• प्रत्युत्थान-अर्हण-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति+उत्थान (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्हण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (pratyutthāna + arhaṇa + ādi)

• कृत-अतिथ्यम्: hospitality rendered
• कृत-अतिथ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त) + अतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-भावे तत्पुरुषः: कृतं अतिथ्यम् (hospitality performed)

• उपासीदत्: sat near / approached and sat
• उपासीदत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप+आस् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सुख-आसीनम्: seated comfortably
• सुख-आसीनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + आसीन (आस् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• समाहितः: composed, attentive
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्+आ+धा (धातु) → समाहित (क्त; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of the subject)

Characters & Entities

• King Citraketu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about atithi-seva (serving guests and saints)?

This verse highlights that one should honor a revered guest through proper etiquette—rising to greet, offering respect and hospitality—and then listen attentively with a composed mind.

Why did King Citraketu offer formal reception and then sit quietly near the visitor?

Because the visitor was worthy of honor; after completing the duties of hospitality, Citraketu adopted a focused, receptive posture to hear and learn, showing humility and readiness for spiritual instruction.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice respectful hospitality, especially toward spiritually minded people and elders, and cultivate attentive listening—finish your duties first, then be fully present and composed when receiving guidance.