Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञानं त्रैकालिकं ब्रह्मन् विज्ञानं च विरक्तिमत् । ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनो भूयात् पुराणाचार्यतास्तु ते ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

jñānaṁ trai-kālikaṁ brahman vijñānaṁ ca viraktimat brahma-varcasvino bhūyāt purāṇācāryatāstu te

Translation

O Brāhmaṇa, mögest du vollkommenes Wissen über die drei Zeiten—Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft—besitzen, sowie transzendentale Verwirklichung des Höchsten, bereichert durch Entsagung. Du strahlst mit der Kraft eines idealen Brāhmaṇa; mögest du das Amt des Purāṇa-Ācārya erlangen.

Synonyms

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; abstract noun

• त्रैकालिकम्: pertaining to the three times (past, present, future)
• त्रैकालिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रैकालिक (प्रातिपदिक; त्रि+काल+इक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier of ज्ञानम्)

• ब्रह्मन्: O brāhmaṇa
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/vocative), एकवचन; address

• विज्ञानम्: realized knowledge / discernment
• विज्ञानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• विरक्तिमत्: endowed with detachment
• विरक्तिमत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरक्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक; विरक्ति+मतुप्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of विज्ञानम्)

• ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनः: of one possessing brahmanical splendor
• ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मवर्चस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्म+वर्चस्+इन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/genitive), एकवचन; possessor noun

• भूयात्: may there be / may (it) become
• भूयात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative/benedictive sense), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आशीर्लिङ्गार्थः ‘may it be’

• पुराणाचार्यताः: the status of being a Purāṇa-teacher
• पुराणाचार्यताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराणाचार्यतā (प्रातिपदिक; पुराण+आचार्य+ता)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; abstract noun ‘-hood’

• तु: indeed / but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ (contrast/emphasis)

• ते: to you / of you
• ते: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/genitive), एकवचन; pronoun

Characters & Entities

• Brahmin sages (Naimiṣāraṇya)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about jñāna, vijñāna, and vairāgya?

This verse blesses the seeker with tri-temporal scriptural knowledge (jñāna), realized understanding (vijñāna), and detachment (vairāgya), presenting them as essential qualities for authentic spiritual authority.

Why does Suta Gosvami speak about becoming a Purana-acharya (teacher of the Puranas)?

In the concluding teachings of Canto 12, Sūta emphasizes the qualifications and blessings connected with transmitting Purāṇic wisdom—knowledge, realization, detachment, and brahminical radiance—so the tradition remains pure and effective.

How can I apply this verse in modern life?

Study sacred texts consistently (jñāna), practice what you learn through devotion and self-discipline (vijñāna), and reduce unhealthy attachments (vairāgya); then your words naturally gain clarity, integrity, and spiritual influence.