Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 17

Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga

Devanagari script

तन्न: परं पुण्यमसंवृतार्थ- माख्यानमत्यद्भुतयोगनिष्ठम् । आख्याह्यनन्ताचरितोपपन्नं पारीक्षितं भागवताभिरामम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

tan naḥ paraṁ puṇyam asaṁvṛtārtham ākhyānam atyadbhuta-yoga-niṣṭham ākhyāhy anantācaritopapannaṁ pārīkṣitaṁ bhāgavatābhirāmam

Translation

সেয়ে অনন্ত প্ৰভুৰ লীলাৰে পৰিপূৰ্ণ সেই পৰম পুণ্যময়, শ্ৰেষ্ঠ আৰু অতি-অদ্ভুত ভক্তিযোগ-নিষ্ঠ আখ্যান আমাৰ আগত কওক—যি মহাৰাজ পৰীক্ষিতক কোৱা হৈছিল আৰু শুদ্ধ ভাগৱতসকলৰ অতি প্ৰিয়।

Synonyms

• तत्: that (narration)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular)

• नः: to us
• नः: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: चतुर्थी (Dative/सम्प्रदान), बहुवचन (Plural)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण to आख्यानम्

• पुण्यम्: meritorious, holy
• पुण्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण to आख्यानम्

• असंवृतार्थम्: with unobscured meaning
• असंवृतार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-सम्-वृत + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समास: नञ्-तत्पुरुष ‘whose meaning is not concealed’

• आख्यानम्: narration, account
• आख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular)

• अत्यद्भुतयोगनिष्ठम्: established in most wondrous yoga
• अत्यद्भुतयोगनिष्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति + अद्भुत + योग + निष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समास: तत्पुरुष ‘fixed in exceedingly wonderful yoga’

• आख्याहि: please narrate
• आख्याहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + ख्या (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• अनन्ताचरितोपपन्नम्: supported by the infinite Lord’s deeds
• अनन्ताचरितोपपन्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त + आचरित + उपपन्न (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समास: तत्पुरुष ‘consistent with/attested by the deeds of Ananta (the Lord)’

• पारीक्षितम्: concerning Parīkṣit
• पारीक्षितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पारीक्षित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); ‘relating to Parīkṣit’ (patronymic/derivative)

• भागवताभिरामम्: delightful to devotees
• भागवताभिरामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भागवत + अभिराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समास: तत्पुरुष ‘delightful to devotees/pertaining to Bhāgavata’

Purport

What was spoken to Mahārāja Parīkṣit and what is very dear to the pure devotees is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is mainly full of the narrations of the activities of the Supreme Unlimited, and therefore it is the science of bhakti-yoga, or the devotional service of the Lord. Thus it is para, or supreme, because although it is enriched with all knowledge and religion, it is specifically enriched with the devotional service of the Lord.

Characters & Entities

• Mahārāja Parīkṣit
• Ananta (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.17 say about the power of hearing Bhagavatam?

It calls the narration “supremely purifying” and asks for it to be told with its meaning unobscured, indicating that attentive hearing of clear Bhāgavata-kathā elevates the listener spiritually.

Why did Śaunaka Ṛṣi and the sages ask Sūta Gosvāmī to narrate the story of Mahārāja Parīkṣit?

Because Parīkṣit’s history is dear to devotees and is connected with the Lord’s limitless pastimes; the sages sought a narration that is both spiritually wondrous and rooted in yoga for the benefit of all.

How can I apply the teaching of Bhagavatam 1.18.17 in modern life?

Seek authentic spiritual teachings with clear meaning, regularly hear or study Bhāgavata-kathā, and anchor daily life in disciplined devotion (yoga-niṣṭhā) rather than distraction.