Shloka 6

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

एष साक्षाद्धरेरंशो जातो लोकरिरक्षया । इयं च तत्परा हि श्रीरनुजज्ञेऽनपायिनी ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

eṣa sākṣād dharer aṁśo jāto loka-rirakṣayā iyaṁ ca tat-parā hi śrīr anujajñe ’napāyinī

Translation

As King Pṛthu, the Lord Hari has appeared as a portion of His potency to protect the people of the world. And Śrī Lakṣmī, the Lord’s eternal, inseparable companion, has partially descended as Arci to become Pṛthu’s queen.

Synonyms

• एषः: this (person)
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• साक्षात्: directly; manifestly
• साक्षात्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साक्षात् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb: directly/manifestly)

• हरेः: of Hari
• हरेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अंशः: a portion
• अंशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• जातः: born
• जातः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘born’

• लोक-रिरक्षया: for the protection of the world
• लोक-रिरक्षया: Hetu (हेतु/निमित्त)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + रिरक्षा (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative noun from रक्ष् धातु: रिरक्ष्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; हेतु/निमित्त (for the sake of)

• इयम्: this (lady)
• इयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• तत्परा: devoted to him
• तत्परा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत् + परा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying श्रीः); ‘devoted to him’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-निपात (particle: indeed/for)

• श्रीः: Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• श्रीः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• अनुजज्ञे: gave consent/approved
• अनुजज्ञे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्शभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अनपायिनी: inseparable; not departing
• अनपायिनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनपायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying श्रीः)

Purport

In Bhagavad-gītā the Lord says that whenever one sees an extraordinary power, he should conclude that a specific partial representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present. There are innumerable such personalities, but not all of them are direct viṣṇu-tattva plenary expansions of the Lord. Many living entities are classified among the śakti-tattvas. Such incarnations, empowered for specific purposes, are known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. King Pṛthu was such a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the Lord. Similarly, Arci, King Pṛthu’s wife, was a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the goddess of fortune.

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• King Pṛthu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about King Pṛthu being an incarnation of Viṣṇu?

This verse declares that Pṛthu is directly a portion (aṁśa) of Lord Hari, born specifically to protect the worlds.

Why is Śrī (Lakṣmī) mentioned along with the Lord’s portion in this verse?

Because Lakṣmī is described as anapāyinī—inseparable from the Lord—indicating divine prosperity and auspiciousness accompanying His mission.

Practical application: what does “born for the protection of the worlds” teach in modern life?

It highlights leadership as service—true authority exists to protect, uplift, and sustain others through dharma rather than personal gain.