Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 13

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

इत्थं बृहद्‌व्रतधरस्तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: । दध्यावधोक्षजं योगी ध्वस्तक्लेशान्तरात्मना ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

itthaṁ bṛhad-vrata-dharas tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ dadhyāv adhokṣajaṁ yogī dhvasta-kleśāntarātmanā

Translation

In this way, the yogi Mārkaṇḍeya, bearer of the great vow, upheld strict celibacy through penance, Vedic study, and self-discipline. With his inner being freed from all distress, he turned his mind inward and meditated on Adhokṣaja, the Supreme Lord beyond the reach of material senses.

Synonyms

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus)

• युञ्जतः: of (him) engaging (in yoga)
• युञ्जतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √युज् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; ‘of (him) who was engaging/absorbing’

• चित्तम्: the mind
• चित्तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• महायोगेन: by great yoga
• महायोगेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महायोग (महा + योग) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् योगः)

• योगिनः: of the yogī
• योगिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• व्यतीयाय: passed by; elapsed
• व्यतीयाय: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-अति-√इ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महान्: great
• महान्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies कालः)

• कालः: time
• कालः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• मन्वन्तर-षट्-आत्मकः: consisting of six manvantaras
• मन्वन्तर-षट्-आत्मकः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्वन्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + षट् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—षट् मन्वन्तराणि आत्मा/स्वरूपं यस्य (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/बहुव्रीहि-भावार्थ); विशेषणम् (qualifies कालः)

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi
• Adhokṣaja (Śrī Hari/Nārāyaṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about destroying kleshas (miseries) through spiritual practice?

This verse states that by tapas (austerity), svādhyāya (sacred study), and saṁyama (self-restraint), and by meditating on Adhokṣaja, the yogī’s inner afflictions are destroyed.

Who is Adhokshaja in the Bhagavata Purana, and why is He called that?

Adhokṣaja is the Supreme Lord beyond material sense perception; the name indicates that He cannot be fully grasped by the ordinary senses and is realized through devotion and purified meditation.

Practical application of tapas, svadhyaya, and self-control in modern life according to this shloka?

Adopt steady vows (consistent spiritual commitments), practice simple austerities, study sacred wisdom daily, regulate habits, and keep the mind focused on the Lord—these disciplines reduce inner distress and strengthen devotion.