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Shloka 7

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

प्रियव्रतोत्तानपादौ शतरूपापते: सुतौ । वासुदेवस्य कलया रक्षायां जगत: स्थितौ ॥ ७ ॥

priyavratottānapādau śatarūpā-pateḥ sutau vāsudevasya kalayā rakṣāyāṁ jagataḥ sthitau

By Śatarūpā, Svāyambhuva Manu had two sons, Priyavrata and Uttānapāda. Being born from a portion (kalā) of Vāsudeva, they were fully competent to protect the universe and care for the citizens.

प्रियव्रत-उत्तानपादौPriyavrata and Uttānapāda
प्रियव्रत-उत्तानपादौ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootप्रियव्रत + उत्तानपाद (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (two names)
शतरूपा-पतेःof Śatarūpā’s husband
शतरूपा-पतेः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
TypeNoun
Rootशतरूपा + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘शतरूपायाः पतिः’ = husband of Śatarūpā)
सुतौtwo sons
सुतौ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootसुत (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन
वासुदेवस्यof Vāsudeva
वासुदेवस्य:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
TypeNoun
Rootवासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन
कलयाby a portion/partial expansion
कलया:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootकला (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; करण
रक्षायाम्in protection
रक्षायाम्:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootरक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण
जगतःof the world
जगतः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
TypeNoun
Rootजगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन
स्थितौwere situated/appointed
स्थितौ:
Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
TypeVerb
Rootस्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
Formभूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past participle/क्त) ‘स्थित’, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विधेय (predicative)

It is said that these two kings, Uttānapāda and Priyavrata, were specifically empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, unlike the great King Ṛṣabha, who was the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

P
Priyavrata
U
Uttānapāda
Ś
Śatarūpā
S
Svāyambhuva Manu
V
Vāsudeva

FAQs

This verse states that Priyavrata and Uttānapāda were empowered by a portion (kalā) of Vāsudeva and placed in authority specifically for the protection of the world.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating Dhruva’s family background, showing that Dhruva’s lineage is connected to divinely empowered rulers meant to uphold protection and order.

See leadership and responsibility as sacred service—use authority, skills, or influence to protect others and uphold dharma, remembering that real power is meant for welfare, not ego.