Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 5

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā

Devanagari script

निभृतोदझषव्रातो वातापाये यथार्णव: । कुर्वस्य तपस: साक्षात् संसिद्धिं सिद्धिदो भवान् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

nibhṛtoda-jhaṣa-vrāto vātāpāye yathārṇavaḥ kurv asya tapasaḥ sākṣāt saṁsiddhiṁ siddhi-do bhavān

Translation

إنه هادئ كالمحيط حين يسكن الريح وتثبت أسراب السمك. لذلك، يا من تمنح الكمال لأهل التنسك، امنح هذا الحكيم السِّدهي الظاهرة المستحقة له.

Synonyms

• nibhṛta-uda-jhaṣa-vrātaḥ: (like one) whose shoal of water-fish is quieted
• nibhṛta-uda-jhaṣa-vrātaḥ: Upamāna-dharma (उपमान-धर्म/qualifier in simile)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nibhṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + uda (प्रातिपदिक) + jhaṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + vrāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana; bahuvrīhi: yasya uda-jhaṣa-vrātaḥ nibhṛtaḥ (one in whom the multitude of water-fish is stilled)

• vāta-apāye: when the wind subsides
• vāta-apāye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāta (प्रातिपदिक) + apāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Saptamī (Loc. 7th), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: vātasya apāyaḥ (cessation of wind)

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Upamā-dyotaka (उपमा-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (comparative particle)

• arṇavaḥ: the ocean
• arṇavaḥ: Upamāna (उपमान/standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana

• kurvan: doing, accomplishing
• kurvan: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifying bhavān)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) → kurvat (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: Śatṛ (present active participle), Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana; agrees with bhavān

• asya: of this (sage)
• asya: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Puṁliṅga/Napuṁsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī (Gen. 6th), Ekavacana

• tapasaḥ: of austerity
• tapasaḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (possessed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṁsakaliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī (Gen. 6th), Ekavacana

• sākṣāt: directly, manifestly
• sākṣāt: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sākṣāt (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (adverb)

• saṁsiddhim: complete success, perfection
• saṁsiddhim: Karma (कर्म) (object of kurvan)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁsiddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana

• siddhi-daḥ: giver of perfection
• siddhi-daḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of bhavān
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + da (प्रातिपदिक from √dā)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana; upapada-tatpuruṣa: siddhiṃ dadāti iti

• bhavān: you (honored one)
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma-prāya (honorific pronoun), Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Ekavacana

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Bhagavān (Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about perfection (siddhi) in austerity (tapasya)?

This verse teaches that the final perfection of tapasya is granted directly by the Supreme Lord—He is siddhi-da, the giver of true attainment, beyond mere self-effort.

Why does Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi compare the mind to the ocean becoming calm?

By the ocean analogy, he indicates how disturbances subside when the cause is removed; similarly, when the Lord’s grace is present, obstacles and agitation are pacified and the goal of austerity is fulfilled.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Do sincere spiritual practice with discipline, but remember that lasting success and inner peace mature through humility, prayer, and dependence on divine grace rather than ego-driven achievement.