Shloka 5

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship

Devanagari script

शङ्खदुन्दुभिघोषेण ब्रह्मघोषेण चर्त्विजाम् । विवेश भवनं वीर: स्तूयमानो गतस्मय: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

śaṅkha-dundubhi-ghoṣeṇa brahma-ghoṣeṇa cartvijām viveśa bhavanaṁ vīraḥ stūyamāno gata-smayaḥ

Translation

As the King entered the palace, conchshells and kettledrums resounded; the priests raised the brahma-ghoṣa by chanting Vedic mantras, and reciters such as the sūtas offered many praises. Yet amid all this welcome, the heroic King remained untouched, free from pride.

Synonyms

• शङ्ख: conch
• शङ्ख: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-सम्बन्धार्थे पूर्वपद; in compound with ghoṣa

• दुन्दुभि: drum
• दुन्दुभि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुन्दुभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-सम्बन्धार्थे पूर्वपद; in compound with ghoṣa

• घोषेण: by the sound
• घोषेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: शङ्ख-दुन्दुभि-घोषः = 'sound of conches and drums'

• ब्रह्म: Vedic (brahma)
• ब्रह्म: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-सम्बन्धार्थे पूर्वपद; in compound with ghoṣa

• घोषेण: by Vedic chants
• घोषेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ब्रह्म-घोषः = 'Vedic chanting'

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• ऋत्विजाम्: of the priests
• ऋत्विजाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; 'of the priests'

• विवेश: entered
• विवेश: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + विश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• भवनम्: the palace/house
• भवनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• वीरः: the hero
• वीरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• स्तूयमानः: being praised
• स्तूयमानः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्तु (धातु) + यमान (कृदन्त, कर्मणि वर्तमान)
• Form: कर्मणि वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् to 'वीरः'

• गत: gone, removed
• गत: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP) used adjectivally; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; first member in compound

• स्मयः: pride, arrogance
• स्मयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे: गत-स्मयः = 'whose pride is gone'

Purport

The reception given to the King was full of opulence, yet he did not become proud. It is said, therefore, that great personalities of power and opulence never become proud, and the example is given that a tree which is full of fruits and flowers does not stand erect in pride but instead bends downwards to show submissiveness. This is a sign of the wonderful character of great personalities.

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• ṛtvijas (priests)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about humility even when praised?

This verse shows King Pṛthu being glorified with music and Vedic chants, yet remaining gata-smaya—free from pride—illustrating that true greatness in bhakti is marked by humility.

Why were conches, drums, and Vedic chants used to welcome King Pṛthu?

They signify an auspicious royal reception aligned with dharma—honoring a righteous ruler through sacred sound (brahma-ghoṣa) and celebratory instruments.

How can I apply 'gata-smaya' (freedom from pride) in modern life?

Accept appreciation without self-importance: credit the Lord, teachers, and circumstances; continue your duty steadily, as Pṛthu does while remaining internally humble.