Shloka 34

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History

Devanagari script

अस्पष्टकीर्ति: सुयशा मूर्खो भवति पण्डित: । इदं स्वस्त्ययनं पुंसाममङ्गल्यनिवारणम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

aspaṣṭa-kīrtiḥ suyaśā mūrkho bhavati paṇḍitaḥ idaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ puṁsām amaṅgalya-nivāraṇam

Translation

Even one unknown in society becomes renowned, and even the unlearned becomes a great scholar. Hearing the narrations of Mahārāja Pṛthu is supremely auspicious for all people, driving away every inauspiciousness.

Synonyms

• अस्पष्टकीर्तिः: of unclear fame
• अस्पष्टकीर्तिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अस्पष्ट + कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सुयशाः: of good fame
• सुयशाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘यशस्’ (s-stem)

• मूर्खः: a fool
• मूर्खः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भवति: becomes
• भवति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• पण्डितः: a learned person
• पण्डितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वस्त्ययनम्: a rite/means of well-being (benediction)
• स्वस्त्ययनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वस्ति + अयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पुंसाम्: of men/people
• पुंसाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुंस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• अमङ्गल्यनिवारणम्: removal of inauspiciousness
• अमङ्गल्यनिवारणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमङ्गल्य + निवारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Purport

In the material world, everyone wants some profit, some adoration and some reputation. By associating in different ways with the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotee, one can very easily become opulent in every respect. Even if one is not known or recognized by society, he becomes very famous and important if he takes to devotional service and preaching. As far as education is concerned, one can become recognized in society as a great learned scholar simply by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, wherein the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees are described. This material world is full of dangers at every step, but a devotee has no fear because devotional service is so auspicious that it automatically counteracts all kinds of bad luck. Since hearing about Pṛthu Mahārāja is one of the items of devotional service ( śravaṇam ), naturally hearing about him brings all good fortune.

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about removing inauspiciousness (amaṅgalya)?

This verse states that an auspicious spiritual shelter or benediction (svasty-ayana) removes inauspiciousness and elevates a person’s reputation and understanding.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 4.23.34 and in what context?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this in the narration of Canto 4, Chapter 23, while describing Pṛthu Mahārāja’s concluding spiritual path and the auspicious benefit of devotional shelter.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Take refuge in daily auspicious devotional practices—hearing, chanting, and living with dharmic integrity—so that confusion, bad fortune, and inner dullness are gradually dispelled.