Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 6

Mahārāja Sagara, Kapila Muni, and the Deliverance of the Sixty Thousand Sons

Devanagari script

यस्तालजङ्घान् यवनाञ्छकान् हैहयबर्बरान् । नावधीद् गुरुवाक्येन चक्रे विकृतवेषिण: ॥ ५ ॥ मुण्डाञ्छ्मश्रुधरान् कांश्चिन्मुक्तकेशार्धमुण्डितान् । अनन्तर्वासस: कांश्चिदबहिर्वाससोऽपरान् ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

yas tālajaṅghān yavanāñ chakān haihaya-barbarān nāvadhīd guru-vākyena cakre vikṛta-veṣiṇaḥ

Translation

Auf Geheiß seines geistlichen Lehrers Aurva tötete König Sagara die rohen Völker wie die Tālajaṅghas, Yavanas, Śakas, Haihayas und Barbaras nicht. Stattdessen gab er ihnen unterschiedliche, sonderbare Trachten: einige ließ er kahl scheren, doch mit Schnurrbart; andere ließ er das Haar offen tragen; manche halb geschoren; einige ohne Untergewand und andere ohne äußeres Gewand. So wurden die Sippen durch Kleidung unterschieden, ohne dass Sagara sie vernichtete.

Synonyms

• muṇḍān: the shaven-headed
• muṇḍān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘shaven-headed ones’

• śmaśru-dharān: beard-wearers
• śmaśru-dharān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śmaśru + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘beard-wearers’

• kān-cit: some
• kān-cit: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; अनिश्चित-प्रत्यय ‘some’

• mukta-keśa-ardha-muṇḍitān: some with loose hair and half-shaven
• mukta-keśa-ardha-muṇḍitān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukta + keśa + ardha + muṇḍita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष ‘with hair let loose, half-shaven’

• an-antar-vāsasaḥ: some without inner clothing
• an-antar-vāsasaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: an + antar + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘without inner garment’

• kān-cit: some
• kān-cit: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘some’

• a-bahir-vāsasaḥ: some without outer clothing
• a-bahir-vāsasaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a + bahir + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘without outer garment’

• aparān: others
• aparān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘others’

Characters & Entities

• Paraśurāma
• Tāla-jaṅgha
• Yavana
• Śaka
• Haihaya
• Barbara

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about obeying the guru’s order (guru-vākya)?

This verse shows that Paraśurāma restrained violence and followed his guru’s command, choosing discipline and transformation over killing—highlighting guru-vākya as a guiding principle of dharma.

Why did Paraśurāma not kill the Yavanas and Śakas in Bhagavatam 9.8?

Because his guru instructed him not to kill them; Paraśurāma instead marked them with distinctive outward appearances, indicating submission to higher spiritual authority.

What is the practical application of this shloka in modern life?

It teaches restraint and principled action: even when one has power to punish, one should act under wise guidance, choosing corrective measures over impulsive harm.