Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 7

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History

Devanagari script

तितिक्षुर्यतवाग्दान्त ऊर्ध्वरेता जितानिल: । आरिराधयिषु: कृष्णमचरत्तप उत्तमम् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

titikṣur yata-vāg dānta ūrdhva-retā jitānilaḥ ārirādhayiṣuḥ kṛṣṇam acarat tapa uttamam

Translation

أجرى المهاراجا بريثو تقشّفاتٍ عظمى ليضبط كلامه وحواسّه، ويحفظ ماؤه من الانبعاث، ويقهر ريح الحياة (البرانا-فايو) في جسده. إنما فعل ذلك كلّه لرضا شري كريشنا وحده، لا لغرضٍ آخر.

Synonyms

• तितिक्षुः: enduring, forbearing
• तितिक्षुः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तितिक्षु (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √तिज्/√तिक्ष्? सहने)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कृदन्त-विशेषण (desiderative/agentive sense: 'one who endures')

• यत-वाक्: restrained in speech
• यत-वाक्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत (कृदन्त; √यम्) + वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (वाक् यता यस्य)

• दान्तः: self-controlled
• दान्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle)

• ऊर्ध्व-रेताः: one whose semen is drawn upward (celibate)
• ऊर्ध्व-रेताः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक) + रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (ऊर्ध्वं रेतो यस्य)

• जित-अनिलः: having conquered the breath/wind
• जित-अनिलः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि) + अनिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अनिलो जितः येन)

• आरिराधयिषुः: desiring to worship/propitiate
• आरिराधयिषुः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √राध् (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; देशिदेरिवेटिव/इच्छार्थक कृदन्त (तुमुन्-आशय/इषु-प्रत्यय: 'desirous to worship/please')

• कृष्णम्: Krishna
• कृष्णम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अचरत्: performed/practised
• अचरत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √चर् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (कर्मपद)

• उत्तमम्: supreme, excellent
• उत्तमम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (तपः-विशेषण)

Purport

In Kali-yuga the following is recommended:

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities needed to worship Krishna seriously?

This verse highlights tolerance, control of speech and senses, conservation of vital energy (brahmacarya), and mastery of prāṇa as supportive disciplines for wholehearted worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Why is Pṛthu Mahārāja described as performing the ‘highest austerity’ in Canto 4, Chapter 23?

Because he combined inner restraint (speech, senses, and vital energy) with focused devotional intent—undertaking tapasya specifically to worship Kṛṣṇa, not for worldly gain.

Practical application of tolerance and self-control from this shloka in modern life?

Practice measured speech, regulate habits that drain attention and vitality, and cultivate steadiness under stress—then direct that steadiness into consistent devotion (japa, prayer, study, and service).