Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4

Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva

Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer

Devanagari script

तथेति शनकै राजन्महाभागवतोऽर्भक: । उपेत्य भुवि कायेन ननाम विधृताञ्जलि: ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

tatheti śanakai rājan mahā-bhāgavato ’rbhakaḥ upetya bhuvi kāyena nanāma vidhṛtāñjaliḥ

Translation

Nārada fuhr fort: „O König, obwohl Prahlāda nur ein kleiner Junge war, nahm er Brahmās Worte an. Langsam trat er zu Herrn Nṛsiṁhadeva und warf sich mit gefalteten Händen ehrerbietig zu Boden.“

Synonyms

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb)

• इति: saying “so”
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसूचक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक (quotative particle)

• शनकैः: slowly, gently
• शनकैः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनकैस्/शनकैः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative), एकवचन

• महाभागवतः: the great devotee
• महाभागवतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + भागवत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (महान् भागवतः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• अर्भकः: the boy (child)
• अर्भकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्भक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; महाभागवतः इत्यस्य विशेष्य/अप्पोजिशन

• उपेत्य: having approached
• उपेत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-इ (धातु) → उपेत्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/त्वा)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वक्रिया (having approached)

• भुवि: on the ground
• भुवि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• कायेन: with the body
• कायेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• ननाम: bowed down
• ननाम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• विधृताञ्जलिः: with hands folded (holding añjali)
• विधृताञ्जलिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-धृ (धातु) → विधृत (कृदन्त, क्त) + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समास (विधृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य सः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिवत् विशेषण (अर्भकः)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda
• King Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.4 teach about approaching the Lord?

It shows that a pure devotee approaches with reverence and humility—slowly, with folded hands, and by offering full obeisances.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī say “O King” in this verse?

Śukadeva is narrating to King Parīkṣit, highlighting Prahlāda’s exemplary devotional conduct within the Nṛsiṁhadeva episode.

How can I apply “vidhṛtāñjaliḥ” (folded hands) in modern devotional practice?

Begin prayer or worship with a respectful posture—folded hands, a calm mind, and an attitude of surrender—before speaking or asking anything.