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Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15

The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa

प्रजाविसर्ग आदिष्टा: पित्रा मामनुवर्तता । तत्र कन्यां वरारोहां तामुद्वहत मा चिरम् ॥ १५ ॥

prajā-visarga ādiṣṭāḥ pitrā mām anuvartatā tatra kanyāṁ varārohāṁ tām udvahata mā ciram

وبما أنكم مطيعون لأمري وقد أمركم أبوكم بإنشاء الذرية، فتزوّجوا سريعًا تلك الفتاة الحسناء ذات الفضائل دون إبطاء، وأنجبوا منها نسلًا وفق أمر أبيكم.

prajā-visargāḥprocreation/creation of offspring
prajā-visargāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootprajā (प्रातिपदिक) + visarga (प्रातिपदिक)
Formतत्पुरुष-समास (‘creation/emanation of progeny’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन
ādiṣṭāḥwere enjoined/commanded
ādiṣṭāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootādiṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; ā+√diś धातु, क्त)
Formभूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; predicate adjective with prajā-visargāḥ
pitrāby the father
pitrā:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootpitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन
māmme
mām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootasmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formद्वितीया, एकवचन
anuvartatāfollow (you all)
anuvartatā:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootanu+vṛt (धातु)
Formलोट् (Imperative), आत्मनेपद, मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन
tatrathere
tatra:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottatra (अव्यय)
Formदेशवाचक-अव्ययम् (locative adverb)
kanyāmthe girl
kanyām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootkanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
varārohāmbeautiful, fair-limbed
varārohām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootvara (प्रातिपदिक) + ārohā (प्रातिपदिक)
Formकर्मधारय-समास (‘fine-hipped/beautifully mounted’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies kanyām)
tāmher
tām:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन
udvahatamarry/take (her)
udvahata:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootud+vah (धातु)
Formलोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन
do not
:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootmā (अव्यय)
Formनिषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (prohibitive particle)
ciramfor long/long time
ciram:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootcira (प्रातिपदिक)
Formकालवाचक-अव्ययम् (adverb of time)

The Pracetās not only were great devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead but were very obedient to the orders of their father. Therefore the Lord asked them to marry the daughter of Pramlocā.

P
Pracetas
P
Prajāpati (their father)

FAQs

This verse shows that the Pracetas were specifically instructed by their father to engage in prajā-visarga—responsible creation of progeny—as a dharmic obligation, not merely personal desire.

He is aligning the group with their father’s command to expand progeny and directing them toward the immediate, practical step—accepting the destined maiden in marriage—so the instruction can be fulfilled.

It emphasizes purposeful action: accept responsibilities (family, service, duty) with clarity and timeliness, and align personal decisions with higher guidance and ethical obligation.