Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18

The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

स ब्रह्मवर्चसेनैवं सभां सम्भावितो वटु: । ब्रह्मर्षिगणसञ्जुष्टामत्यरोचत मारिष: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

sa brahma-varcasenaivaṁ sabhāṁ sambhāvito vaṭuḥ brahmarṣi-gaṇa-sañjuṣṭām atyarocata māriṣaḥ

Translation

Thus welcomed by all, Lord Vāmanadeva, the finest of brahmacārīs, revealed His brahman effulgence. In that assembly filled with great saintly brāhmaṇas, He surpassed everyone in beauty.

Synonyms

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

• ब्रह्मवर्चसेन: by spiritual radiance
• ब्रह्मवर्चसेन: करण (Karaṇa/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्चस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/तृतीया), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्मणः वर्चः

• एवम्: thus/in this manner
• एवम्: क्रिया-विशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• सभाम्: the assembly hall
• सभाम्: कर्म (Karma/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• सम्भावितः: honoured/received respectfully
• सम्भावितः: विशेषण (adjectival to वटुः/सः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-भू (धातु) + णिच् (causative) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (Past passive participle, causative sense: ‘honoured’); पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• वटुः: the brahmacārī boy
• वटुः: कर्ता (Karta/subject; apposition to सः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वटु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• ब्रह्मर्षिगणसञ्जुष्टाम्: frequented by groups of brahmarṣis
• ब्रह्मर्षिगणसञ्जुष्टाम्: विशेषण (adjectival to सभाम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मर्षि (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक) + सञ्जुष्ट (कृदन्त from सम्-जुष्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); समास-समूहः: (ब्रह्मर्षीणां गणः) तेन सञ्जुष्टा (assembly ‘frequented by groups of brahmarṣis’)

• अत्यरोचत: shone exceedingly/appeared splendid
• अत्यरोचत: क्रिया (Verb/action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अति-रुच् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), आत्मनेपद

• मारिषः: the venerable one
• मारिषः: कर्ता (Karta/subject; apposition to सः/वटुः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मारिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Vāmana
• Brahmarṣis (great sages)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about brahminical effulgence (brahma-varcasa)?

This verse highlights that genuine spiritual radiance arises from brahminical purity and divine presence—Vāmana’s brahma-tejas makes Him shine even more when honored among saintly sages.

Why was Vāmana respected in the assembly of sages and kings?

Because He appeared as an exemplary brahmacārī brāhmaṇa endowed with unmistakable spiritual luster, the learned and saintly naturally honored Him in the hall attended by great ṛṣis.

Practical application of brahma-tejas in modern life?

Cultivate purity, truthfulness, self-control, and devotion; when character and spiritual practice are strong, one’s presence gains natural dignity and respect—like Vāmana in the assembly.