Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 34

Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणी वीक्ष्य दिधिषुं पुरुषादेन भक्षितम् । शोचन्त्यात्मानमुर्वीशमशपत् कुपिता सती ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇī vīkṣya didhiṣuṁ puruṣādena bhakṣitam śocanty ātmānam urvīśam aśapat kupitā satī

Translation

Als die keusche Frau des Brāhmaṇa sah, dass ihr Mann, der im Begriff war, Samen zu vergießen, von dem Menschenfresser verspeist worden war, wurde sie von Trauer überwältigt und verfluchte den König zornig.

Synonyms

• ब्राह्मणी: the brāhmaṇa woman
• ब्राह्मणी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वीक्ष्य: having seen
• वीक्ष्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वीक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having seen’

• दिधिषुम्: the (intended) co-wife / one to be taken as a second wife
• दिधिषुम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘saw’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिधिषु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पुरुषादेन: by a man-eater (cannibal/demon)
• पुरुषादेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुषाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• भक्षितम्: eaten/devoured
• भक्षितम्: कर्म (Karma/Object complement to ‘saw’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: कर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘having been eaten’

• शोचन्ती: lamenting
• शोचन्ती: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुच् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकालिक शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Present Active Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आत्मानम्: herself
• आत्मानम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘lamenting’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उर्वीशम्: O king / lord of the earth
• उर्वीशम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; also possible संबोधनार्थ-प्रयोग as addressed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उर्वीश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अशपत्: she cursed
• अशपत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शप् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• कुपिता: angered
• कुपिता: कर्तृविशेषण (Kartṛ-viśeṣaṇa/Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कुप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Past Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘having become angry’

• सती: the chaste woman
• सती: कर्ता (Karta/Apposition to subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Didhiṣu
• Urvīśa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of a brāhmaṇa’s curse?

This verse shows that a virtuous brāhmaṇa’s wife, when grievously wronged, could curse even a king—highlighting the spiritual potency and moral weight carried by brāhmaṇas and the pious.

Why did the brāhmaṇī curse King Urvīśa in this episode?

Because her son Didhiṣu was devoured by a man‑eater, she was overwhelmed by grief and anger and held the king responsible for failing to protect his subjects, leading her to curse him.

Practical application of this shloka’s lesson in modern life?

Leaders and institutions must prioritize protection and accountability; neglect of duty harms the innocent and invites social and moral consequences.