Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 48

Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage

Devanagari script

अस्मिन्नप्यन्तरे ब्रह्मन् भगवान्लोकभावन: । ब्रह्मेशाद्यैर्लोकपालैर्याचितो धर्मगुप्तये ॥ ४८ ॥ पराशरात् सत्यवत्यामंशांशकलया विभु: । अवतीर्णो महाभाग वेदं चक्रे चतुर्विधम् ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

asminn apy antare brahman bhagavān loka-bhāvanaḥ brahmeśādyair loka-pālair yācito dharma-guptaye

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, in this present age of Vaivasvata Manu, the universe’s rulers, led by Brahmā and Śiva, prayed to Bhagavān, the sustainer of the worlds, to protect dharma. O fortunate Śaunaka, the almighty Lord, manifesting as a divine spark of a portion of His plenary portion, descended into Satyavatī’s womb as the son of Parāśara and divided the one Veda into four.

Synonyms

• अस्मिन्: in this
• अस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (also/even)

• अन्तरे: in the interval
• अन्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; अर्थ: 'अन्तरे' = in the interval/period

• ब्रह्मन्: O Brahman (sage)
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; संबोधन (address)

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• लोकभावनः: nurturer of the world
• लोकभावनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + भावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: लोकस्य भावनः (one who nurtures the world)

• ब्रह्मेशाद्यैः: by (those) beginning with Brahmā and Īśa
• ब्रह्मेशाद्यैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मा + ईश + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; समाहार/निर्देश: 'beginning with Brahmā and Īśa' (आदि-समास)

• लोकपालैः: by the guardians of the worlds
• लोकपालैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: लोकस्य पालाः

• याचितः: requested
• याचितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √याच् (याच्) → याचित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि: 'having been requested'

• धर्मगुप्तये: for safeguarding dharma
• धर्मगुप्तये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + गुप्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: धर्मस्य गुप्तये (for the protection of dharma)

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Supreme Lord)
• Brahmā
• Śiva (Īśa)
• Lokapālas (guardians of the worlds)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord protecting dharma?

This verse states that the Supreme Lord is petitioned by Brahmā, Śiva, and the cosmic guardians to safeguard dharma, indicating that divine intervention occurs for the maintenance of moral and spiritual order.

Why do Brahmā and Śiva request the Lord’s help in the Bhagavatam?

Because even the highest administrators of the universe rely on the Supreme Lord for ultimate protection of dharma when it is threatened; their request reflects the Lord’s supreme position as the sustainer of all worlds.

Practical application of “protecting dharma” in modern life?

Align daily choices with truthfulness, compassion, and duty, and seek divine guidance through prayer and study—understanding that dharma is preserved by conscious commitment, supported by grace.