Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 41

Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions

Catuḥ-śloki

Devanagari script

तं नारद: प्रियतमो रिक्थादानामनुव्रत: । शुश्रूषमाण: शीलेन प्रश्रयेण दमेन च ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ nāradaḥ priyatamo rikthādānām anuvrataḥ śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ śīlena praśrayeṇa damena ca

Translation

Nārada, Brahmā’s dearest heir-son, ever eager to serve his father, strictly follows his father’s instructions through good conduct, humility, and control of the senses.

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nāradaḥ: Nārada
• nāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• priyatamaḥ: most dear
• priyatamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: priyatama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Nominative, Singular; superlative (तमप्)

• riktha-ādānām: of inheritances; of possessions
• riktha-ādānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: riktha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādāna (प्रातिपदिक; ā-√dā (दा धातु) + lyuṭ)
• Form: Napumsaka, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; तत्पुरुष: ‘of inheritances/possessions’ (riktha-ādāna = property/heritage)

• anuvrataḥ: obedient; devoted follower
• anuvrataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuvrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Nominative, Singular; ‘following in vow/obedient’

• śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ: serving; attending upon
• śuśrūṣamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śruṣ (श्रुष् धातु; desiderative sense ‘to serve’)
• Form: Ātmanepada present participle (शानच्), Nominative, Singular, Puṁliṅga

• śīlena: by good conduct
• śīlena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• praśrayeṇa: by humility; deference
• praśrayeṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• damena: by self-control
• damena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (निपात)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय/and)

Characters & Entities

• Nārada

FAQs

What qualities of a devotee are described in Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.41?

This verse highlights a devotee’s service attitude (śuśrūṣā), good conduct (śīla), humility (praśraya), and self-control (dama), shown through Nārada’s faithful obedience.

Why is Nārada described as obedient in the matter of inheritance in Bhagavatam?

The verse emphasizes Nārada’s disciplined, dutiful nature—he follows what is proper and instructed, showing integrity and detachment while maintaining a spirit of service.

How can humility and self-control from Bhagavatam 2.9.41 be applied in modern life?

Serve sincerely without ego, speak and act respectfully, and practice restraint in habits and reactions—these strengthen devotion, relationships, and inner steadiness.