Shloka 14

Arjuna Marries Subhadrā; Kṛṣṇa Honors Two Devotees in Mithilā (Śrutadeva and Bahulāśva)

Devanagari script

स उवास विदेहेषु मिथिलायां गृहाश्रमी । अनीहयागताहार्यनिर्वर्तितनिजक्रिय: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

sa uvāsa videheṣu mithilāyāṁ gṛhāśramī anīhayāgatāhārya- nirvartita-nija-kriyaḥ

Translation

Er lebte als frommer Hausvater in der Stadt Mithilā im Königreich Videha. Mit der Nahrung, die ohne besondere Mühe zu ihm kam, bestritt er seinen Lebensunterhalt und erfüllte seine Pflichten.

Synonyms

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उवास: dwelt/lived
• उवास: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (वस्-धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विदेहेषु: in the Videha country
• विदेहेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• मिथिलायाम्: in Mithilā
• मिथिलायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिथिला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• गृहाश्रमी: a householder
• गृहाश्रमी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह-आश्रमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: गृह-आश्रमं आश्रितः (householder)

• अनीहया: without exertion
• अनीहया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-नीह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; नकारार्थ (absence of effort)

• आगताहार्यनिर्वर्तितनिजक्रियः: whose personal duties were fulfilled by food and necessities that came unasked
• आगताहार्यनिर्वर्तितनिजक्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आगत-आहार्य-निर्वर्तित-निज-क्रिय (प्रातिपदिक; बहुपद-समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: आगतैः आहार्यैः निर्वर्तिताः निजक्रियाः यस्य (whose own duties are carried out by provisions that come of themselves)

Characters & Entities

• Nimi (King of Videha)
• Videhas
• Mithilā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about living as a detached householder?

This verse describes an ideal gṛhastha who performs duties while remaining free from personal striving and attachment, accepting only what comes naturally and staying inwardly renounced.

Who is described as living in Mithilā among the Videhas in this verse?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes King Nimi of Videha, who lived in Mithilā as a householder while remaining detached and dutiful.

How can the principle of anīhā (non-striving) be applied in modern life?

Do your responsibilities conscientiously, but reduce anxiety-driven overexertion—practice contentment, accept what is sufficient, and keep your work aligned with dharma rather than ego or greed.