Shloka 24

The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins

Devanagari script

अस्तौषीदथ विश्वेशं देवी देववरार्चितम् । प्राञ्जलि: प्रणता राजन् भक्तिप्रवणया धिया ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

astauṣīd atha viśveśaṁ devī deva-varārcitam prāñjaliḥ praṇatā rājan bhakti-pravaṇayā dhiyā

Translation

O King, the goddess then began to praise the Lord of the universe, worshiped by the best of the demigods. Having bowed down and then standing with joined palms, her mind softened by devotion, she offered her hymns.

Synonyms

• astauṣīt: praised
• astauṣīt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person, Singular; परस्मैपद

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (अनन्तरार्थक अव्यय)

• viśveśam: Lord of the universe
• viśveśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva + īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘विश्वस्य ईशः’

• devī: the goddess (Bhū)
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• deva-vara-arcitam: worshiped by the foremost gods
• deva-vara-arcitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deva + vara + arcita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः—‘देववरैः अर्चितम्’ (worshiped by the best of gods)

• prāñjaliḥ: with folded hands
• prāñjaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāñjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘with joined palms’ (अञ्जलिमुद्रायुक्त)

• praṇatā: bowed down
• praṇatā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra + nam (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Past participle (क्त), Feminine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with devī

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• bhakti-pravaṇayā: by devotion-inclined
• bhakti-pravaṇayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhakti + pravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; तत्पुरुषः—‘भक्त्या प्रवणा’ (inclined through devotion)

• dhiyā: with (her) mind/intelligence
• dhiyā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• King Parīkṣit
• Viśveśa (Lord of the universe)
• Devī (the queen/goddess)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering prayers with devotion (bhakti)?

This verse shows that true prayer arises from a mind drawn toward the Lord by bhakti—expressed through humility, bowed posture, and folded hands.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī address Parīkṣit Mahārāja as 'O King' (rājan) here?

Śukadeva is narrating the episode to Parīkṣit and directly signals the listener, emphasizing the devotional mood with which the queen begins her prayers.

How can I apply 'prāñjaliḥ praṇatā' (folded hands and bowing) in modern spiritual life?

Approach prayer with reverence—pause, become inwardly attentive, and offer gratitude and surrender, letting devotion guide the mind rather than distraction or mere ritual.