Shloka 21

The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā

Devanagari script

एवं व्यवसितो राजन् भगवान् स महायशा: । अस्तौषीदादिपुरुषमिलाया: पुंस्त्वकाम्यया ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ vyavasito rājan bhagavān sa mahā-yaśāḥ astauṣīd ādi-puruṣam ilāyāḥ puṁstva-kāmyayā

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King Parīkṣit, having thus resolved, the renowned and powerful Vasiṣṭha offered prayers to Ādi-Puruṣa Viṣṇu, desiring that Ilā be transformed into a male.

Synonyms

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• vyavasitaḥ: resolved / determined
• vyavasitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyavasita (कृदन्त; √as/√sā?; vi-ava-√sā/√sad? ‘to resolve/decide’)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

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

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

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• mahā-yaśāḥ: of great fame
• mahā-yaśāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + yaśas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: ‘great-famed’; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• astauṣīt: praised
• astauṣīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √stu (धातु; स्तुतौ)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्/laṅ), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• ādi-puruṣam: the original Person
• ādi-puruṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya: ‘the primeval person’; Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ilāyāḥ: of Ilā
• ilāyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ilā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• puṁstva-kāmyayā: by (her) desire for masculinity
• puṁstva-kāmyayā: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṁstva (प्रातिपदिक; puṁs + tva) + kāmya (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त; √kam कामे)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: ‘by the desire for manhood’; Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Ilā
• Ādi-puruṣa (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about praying to the Ādi-puruṣa for help?

This verse shows that when one is firmly resolved and approaches the Primeval Lord with sincere prayer, divine assistance can be obtained—even for seemingly impossible circumstances.

Why were prayers offered for Ilā’s puṁstva (manhood) in Canto 9?

In the narrative of Ilā/Sudyumna’s transformation, the devotee seeks the Lord’s intervention so Ilā may regain masculine identity, indicating dependence on Bhagavān’s will for restoration and order.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

Make a clear, dharmic resolve and then pray with humility and steadiness—using devotion as the means to seek guidance, healing, and the Lord’s arrangement in difficult situations.