Shloka 3

Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti

Devanagari script

तत उच्चै:श्रवा नाम हयोऽभूच्चन्द्रपाण्डुर: । तस्मिन्बलि: स्पृहां चक्रे नेन्द्र ईश्वरशिक्षया ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

tata uccaiḥśravā nāma hayo ’bhūc candra-pāṇḍuraḥ tasmin baliḥ spṛhāṁ cakre nendra īśvara-śikṣayā

Translation

Thereafter a horse named Uccaiḥśravā, white as the moon, was produced. Bali Mahārāja longed to possess it, and Indra did not object, having been previously instructed so by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: Adverb (अव्यय) ‘then/from there’

• uccaiḥśravāḥ: Uccaiḥśravā
• uccaiḥśravāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uccaiḥ + śravas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि ‘whose fame is high’ (proper name of the horse)

• nāma: by name
• nāma: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Particle (अव्यय) used to indicate naming: ‘by name’

• hayaḥ: a horse
• hayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• abhūt: appeared/was
• abhūt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• candra-pāṇḍuraḥ: moon-white
• candra-pāṇḍuraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: candra + pāṇḍura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय ‘moon-white/pale like the moon’

• tasmin: in/for that (horse)
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (प्रयोगानुसार), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• baliḥ: Bali
• baliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• spṛhām: desire/longing
• spṛhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: spṛhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• cakre: made (had)
• cakre: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेधार्थक अव्यय)

• indraḥ: Indra
• indraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• īśvara-śikṣayā: by the Lord’s instruction
• īśvara-śikṣayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśvara + śikṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष ‘by the instruction of the Lord’

Characters & Entities

• Uccaiḥśravā
• Bali Mahārāja
• Indra
• Īśvara (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Uccaihshrava during Samudra Manthan?

This verse states that the moon-white horse Uccaiḥśravā appeared from the churning of the Milk Ocean, and Bali Mahārāja desired him, while Indra refrained due to the Supreme Lord’s instruction.

Why did Indra not desire Uccaihshrava in this verse?

Indra did not covet the horse because he was acting under the guidance (īśvara-śikṣā) of the Supreme Lord, showing restraint rather than rivalry over the newly manifested treasures.

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

When attractive opportunities arise, practice self-control and follow higher guidance (dharma and devotion) instead of being driven by envy or possessiveness.