Shloka 19

Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship

Devanagari script

भगवानथ विश्वात्मा पृथुनोपहृतार्हण: । समुज्जिहानया भक्त्या गृहीतचरणाम्बुज: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavān atha viśvātmā pṛthunopahṛtārhaṇaḥ samujjihānayā bhaktyā gṛhīta-caraṇāmbujaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Lord, the Soul of the universe, accepted the worship offered by Pṛthu and showed him mercy. King Pṛthu abundantly adored the Lord’s lotus feet; and as he worshiped, his devotional ecstasy in bhakti steadily increased, rising ever higher.

Synonyms

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्ध/क्रम (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनन्तरार्थक (then/now)

• विश्व-आत्मा: the soul of the universe
• विश्व-आत्मा: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘विश्वस्य आत्मा’ (soul of the universe)

• पृथुना: by Pṛthu
• पृथुना: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• उपहृत-अर्हणः: whose worship was offered (by Pṛthu)
• उपहृत-अर्हणः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपहृत (कृदन्त, √हृ (धातु)) + अर्हण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘उपहृतम् अर्हणं यस्य’ (one whose worship/offerings have been presented)

• समुज्जिहानया: with (her/his) intensely rising
• समुज्जिहानया: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समुज्जिहान (कृदन्त, √हन्/√हा?; here from √हा ‘to abandon’ with desiderative nuance? used as feminine instr.)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘भक्त्या’ इत्यस्य; अर्थः ‘उत्कटया/उद्गतया’ (intensely rising)

• भक्त्या: devotion
• भक्त्या: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• गृहीत-चरण-अम्बुजः: whose lotus feet were held (by the devotee)
• गृहीत-चरण-अम्बुजः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गृहीत (कृदन्त, √ग्रह् (धातु)) + चरण (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘चरणाम्बुजं गृहीतम् यस्य’ (one whose lotus-feet have been grasped/held)

Purport

When various ecstasies appear in the body of a devotee, it is to be understood that his devotional service has become perfect. There are many types of transcendental ecstasies in the forms of crying, laughing, perspiring, falling down, and crying like a madman. All these symptoms are sometimes visible on the body of a devotee. They are called aṣṭa-sāttvika-vikāra, which means “eight kinds of transcendental transformations.” They are never to be imitated, but when a devotee actually becomes perfect, these symptoms are visible on his body. The Lord is bhakta-vatsala, which means that He is inclined toward His pure devotee ( bhakta ). Therefore the transcendental ecstatic transaction between the Supreme Lord and His devotee is never like the activities of this material world.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Supreme Lord)
• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Śrīmad Bhāgavatam say about how the Lord accepts a devotee’s worship?

This verse shows that the Lord, as the universal Supersoul, personally accepts offerings when they are presented with exalted devotion (bhakti), and He reciprocates by granting shelter at His lotus feet.

Why is Pṛthu Mahārāja described as having the Lord’s lotus feet accepted by him?

Because Pṛthu’s devotion was intense and sincere, the Lord reciprocated—accepting his worship and allowing Pṛthu to firmly take refuge in His lotus feet, the ultimate goal of devotion.

How can I apply the teaching of this verse in modern life?

Offer your daily actions—prayer, service, and responsibilities—with sincere devotion rather than mere ritual, trusting that genuine bhakti draws divine reciprocation and inner steadiness.