Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 8

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं स्वभृत्यमुख्येन पृष्ट: स भगवान् हरि: । प्रीत: क्षेमाय मर्त्यानां धर्मानाह सनातनान् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ sva-bhṛtya-mukhyena pṛṣṭaḥ sa bhagavān hariḥ prītaḥ kṣemāya martyānāṁ dharmān āha sanātanān

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus Uddhava, the foremost of devotees, inquired from the Lord. Hearing his question, the Supreme Lord Hari, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was pleased and, for the welfare of all conditioned souls, spoke the eternal principles of dharma.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Sri Sukadeva Gosvami
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Lit (Perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• ittham: thus/in this way
• ittham: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ittham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• sva-bhṛtya-mukhyena: by the chief of His own servants (Uddhava)
• sva-bhṛtya-mukhyena: Karana (Instrument/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva-bhṛtya-mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• pṛṣṭaḥ: questioned
• pṛṣṭaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prach (धातु) + kta
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• saḥ: He
• saḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• bhagavān: the Supreme Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• hariḥ: Lord Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• prītaḥ: pleased
• prītaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prī (धातु) + kta
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• kṣemāya: for the welfare
• kṣemāya: Sampradana (Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• martyānāṁ: of mortals/human beings
• martyānāṁ: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• dharmān: religious principles/duties
• dharmān: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• āha: spoke
• āha: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (ah) (धातु)
• Form: Lit (Perfect), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• sanātanān: eternal
• sanātanān: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sanātana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Hari (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about sanātana dharma in Canto 11?

This verse introduces that Lord Hari, pleased by Uddhava’s inquiry, teaches the eternal (sanātana) principles of dharma meant for the true welfare of human beings.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī say that Hari spoke dharma for the welfare of mortals?

Śukadeva frames the teaching as compassionate guidance: Kṛṣṇa’s instructions on dharma are not merely rules, but a timeless path meant to protect and uplift conditioned souls.

How can I apply this verse in modern life?

Seek dharma as a practical path for inner and outer well-being—learn from authentic sources, ask sincere questions like Uddhava, and adopt timeless spiritual principles rather than temporary trends.