Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 17

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship

Devanagari script

सूक्ष्मवक्रासितस्‍निग्धमूर्धज: कम्बुकन्धर: । महाधने दुकूलाग्र्ये परिधायोपवीय च ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

sūkṣma-vakrāsita-snigdha- mūrdhajaḥ kambu-kandharaḥ mahā-dhane dukūlāgrye paridhāyopavīya ca

Translation

Sein Haar war sehr fein, schwarz, glänzend und leicht gelockt; sein Hals, einer Muschel gleich, trug glückverheißende Linien. Er trug ein äußerst kostbares Dhotī und ein schönes Obergewand.

Synonyms

• sūkṣma-vakra-asita-snigdha-mūrdhajaḥ: having fine, curly, dark, glossy hair
• sūkṣma-vakra-asita-snigdha-mūrdhajaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūkṣma (प्रातिपदिक) + vakra (प्रातिपदिक) + asita (प्रातिपदिक) + snigdha (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrdhaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (Nominative/प्रथमा) Ekavacana (Singular/एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि-समासः—यस्य मūrdhajāḥ (केशाः) सूक्ष्माः वक्राः असिताः स्निग्धाः सः

• kambu-kandharaḥ: having a conch-like neck
• kambu-kandharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kambu (प्रातिपदिक) + kandhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—यस्य कन्धरः कम्बुसदृशः सः

• mahā-dhane: in great wealth/treasure
• mahā-dhane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter/नपुंसक), Saptamī (Locative/सप्तमी) Ekavacana; कर्मधारय—महच्च तत् धनम्

• dukūla-agrye: in the finest silk garment
• dukūla-agrye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dukūla (प्रातिपदिक) + agrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī Ekavacana; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष—dukūlasya agryam (श्रेष्ठं वस्त्रम्)

• paridhāya: having put on (worn)
• paridhāya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-dhā (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), avyaya-kriyā; उपसर्गः pari-; ‘धृत्वा/परिधाय’

• upavīya: having wrapped (as an upper garment)
• upavīya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-vī (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), avyaya-kriyā; उपसर्गः upa-; ‘उपवीय’ = उपवेष्ट्य/उपवेष्ट्य (having wrapped/put on as upper cloth)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the appearance and qualities of Pṛthu Mahārāja?

This verse describes Pṛthu Mahārāja’s auspicious, refined features and royal elegance—glossy dark hair, conch-like neck, and costly fine garments—indicating his extraordinary, divinely empowered kingship.

Why is Pṛthu Mahārāja described in such detailed physical features in Bhagavatam?

In the narrative, Śukadeva Gosvāmī highlights Pṛthu’s auspicious marks and dignified bearing to show that he is no ordinary ruler, but an exemplary king whose external splendor reflects inner virtue and divine purpose.

Practical application: What can devotees learn from Pṛthu Mahārāja’s portrayal here?

Devotees can learn that true leadership combines refinement and responsibility—outer conduct and presentation should support dharma and service, not ego, and should inspire others toward virtue.