Shloka 23

Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance

Devanagari script

तत्तेजसा हतरुच: सन्नजिह्वा: ससाध्वसा: । मूर्ध्ना धृताञ्जलिपुटा उपतस्थुरधोक्षजम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

tat-tejasā hata-rucaḥ sanna-jihvāḥ sa-sādhvasāḥ mūrdhnā dhṛtāñjali-puṭā upatasthur adhokṣajam

Translation

Before the blazing effulgence of Nārāyaṇa’s bodily splendor, all other radiance faded and every tongue fell silent. Struck with awe and reverence, those present folded their hands, touched them to their heads, and prepared to offer prayers to Adhokṣaja, the Supreme Personality of Godhead beyond the reach of the senses.

Synonyms

• tat-tejasā: by that radiance
• tat-tejasā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṁsaka, Tṛtīyā (Instr. 3rd), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘by that splendor’

• hata-rucaḥ: with luster subdued
• hata-rucaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √han (धातु) + kta (क्त) + ruc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; kta ‘hata’ + ruci: ‘whose luster was struck/overpowered’

• sanna-jihvāḥ: with tongues stilled
• sanna-jihvāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṁ-√sad/√sīd (धातु) + kta (क्त) + jihvā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; kta ‘sanna’ (drooping/quieted) qualifying jihvā: ‘tongues stilled’

• sa-sādhvasāḥ: with awe/fear
• sa-sādhvasāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/सह) + sādhvasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; ‘with fear/with awe’ (saha-artha ‘sa-’)

• mūrdhnā: with the head
• mūrdhnā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana

• dhṛta-añjali-puṭāḥ: with hands folded (añjali)
• dhṛta-añjali-puṭāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु) + kta (क्त) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक) + puṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘having held (dhṛta) the hollow of joined palms (añjali-puṭa)’

• upatasthuḥ: stood near/attended
• upatasthuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√sthā (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Prathama puruṣa, Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• adhokṣajam: Adhokṣaja (the Lord)
• adhokṣajam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhokṣaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; proper epithet of Viṣṇu

Characters & Entities

• Adhokṣaja (Lord Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam mean by the name Adhokṣaja?

Adhokṣaja refers to the Supreme Lord who is beyond the grasp of material senses and mental speculation; He is approached through devotion, not ordinary perception.

Why did everyone become silent and fold their hands when Lord Viṣṇu appeared?

His overwhelming divine effulgence subdued their pride and speech, producing sādhvasa—reverential awe—so they instinctively bowed and offered respectful obeisances.

How can this verse be applied in modern spiritual practice?

It teaches humility before the Divine: cultivate reverence, restrain impulsive speech, and approach God through sincere bhakti rather than ego or argument.