Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 34

Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada

Devanagari script

एतस्मिन् काल उत्पातान् बहून् पश्यन् प्रजापति: । पूर्ववन्नारदकृतं पुत्रनाशमुपाश‍ृणोत् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

etasmin kāla utpātān bahūn paśyan prajāpatiḥ pūrvavan nārada-kṛtaṁ putra-nāśam upāśṛṇot

Translation

At this time, Prajāpati Dakṣa observed many inauspicious signs, and he heard from various sources that his second group of sons, the Savalāśvas, had followed the path of their elder brothers in accordance with the instructions of Nārada.

Synonyms

• एतस्मिन्: in this
• एतस्मिन्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• काले: at the time
• काले: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• उत्पातान्: portents/omens
• उत्पातान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्पात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहून्: many
• बहून्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण (qualifying उत्पातान्)

• पश्यन्: seeing
• पश्यन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• प्रजापतिः: Prajāpati (Dakṣa)
• प्रजापतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• पूर्ववत्: as before
• पूर्ववत्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्ववत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: as before)

• नारदकृतम्: done by Nārada
• नारदकृतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारद + कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष (नारदेन कृतम् = done by Nārada)

• पुत्रनाशम्: the loss/destruction of (his) sons
• पुत्रनाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र + नाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष (पुत्राणां नाशः = destruction of sons)

• उपाशृणोत्: heard (in detail)/came to hear
• उपाशृणोत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: उपा (उप + आ)

Characters & Entities

• Prajāpati Dakṣa
• Nārada Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about bad omens (utpāta) and their meaning?

This verse notes that Dakṣa saw many ominous signs and then heard troubling news—showing that unusual disturbances can accompany major turning points in one’s destiny and in unfolding karma.

Why did Dakṣa blame Nārada Muni for the loss of his sons?

Because Nārada’s teachings inspired Dakṣa’s sons to renounce worldly life; Dakṣa, focused on progeny and creation, perceived their renunciation as ‘loss’ caused by Nārada.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life when plans fail unexpectedly?

It reminds one to recognize that reversals may signal a deeper redirection—inviting reflection on priorities and the possibility of spiritual growth beyond material plans.