Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

नाट्यं सुगीतं वादित्रमन्तर्धानं च खेचरा: । ऋषयश्चाशिष: सत्या: समुद्र: शङ्खमात्मजम् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

nāṭyaṁ sugītaṁ vāditram antardhānaṁ ca khecarāḥ ṛṣayaś cāśiṣaḥ satyāḥ samudraḥ śaṅkham ātmajam

Translation

Die Devas, die durch den Luftraum ziehen, verliehen ihm die Künste des Schauspiels, des schönen Gesangs, des Musizierens sowie die Fähigkeit, nach Belieben unsichtbar zu werden. Die großen Weisen gaben ihm wahre, unfehlbare Segnungen. Der Ozean bot eine aus dem Meer hervorgegangene Muschel (Śaṅkha) dar.

Synonyms

• नाट्यम्: dramatic art; dance/drama
• नाट्यम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाट्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• सुगीतम्: sweet song; good singing
• सुगीतम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + गीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वादित्रम्: musical instrument
• वादित्रम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वादित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अन्तर्धानम्: disappearance; invisibility
• अन्तर्धानम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर्धान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• खेचराः: Khecaras (sky-goers)
• खेचराः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—givers)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खेचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—givers)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आशिषः: blessings
• आशिषः: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आशिष् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• सत्याः: true; unfailing
• सत्याः: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of ‘आशिषः’

• समुद्रः: the Ocean
• समुद्रः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—giver)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शङ्खम्: a conch
• शङ्खम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आत्मजम्: born of itself; self-produced
• आत्मजम्: कर्म (Karma/object—gift)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्म + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of ‘शङ्खम्’

Characters & Entities

• Khecarāḥ (celestial beings)
• Ṛṣayaḥ (sages)
• Samudra (Ocean)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about divine gifts given to righteous rulers?

This verse shows that when a ruler is dharmic and favored by providence, celestial beings and sages naturally offer auspicious arts, mystic endowments, and unfailing blessings—signs of divine approval.

Why did the sages give ‘satya’ (infallible) blessings in this verse?

Because Pṛthu’s rule is being established as aligned with dharma and the Lord’s arrangement, the ṛṣis’ benedictions are described as satyāḥ—certain to bear fruit.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate integrity and service-minded leadership; when conduct is righteous and selfless, support, goodwill, and ‘blessings’ from wise and well-wishing people naturally follow.