Shloka 26

Devanagari script

वृषपर्वा तमाज्ञाय प्रत्यनीकविवक्षितम् । गुरुं प्रसादयन् मूर्ध्ना पादयो: पतित: पथि ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

vṛṣaparvā tam ājñāya pratyanīka-vivakṣitam guruṁ prasādayan mūrdhnā pādayoḥ patitaḥ pathi

Translation

King Vṛṣaparvā understood that Śukrācārya was coming to chastise or curse him. Therefore, before Śukrācārya reached his house, Vṛṣaparvā went out onto the road, fell with his head at his guru’s feet, and, checking his wrath, satisfied him.

Synonyms

• vṛṣaparvā: Vṛṣaparvā
• vṛṣaparvā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣaparvan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular

• tam: him/that (matter)
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2), Singular

• ājñāya: having learned
• ājñāya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा) (धातु) with ā-
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय) ‘having known/understood’

• pratyanīka-vivakṣitam: intended as a retort
• pratyanīka-vivakṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prati-anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + vivakṣita (कृदन्त; √vac वच्, desiderative sense ‘intended to say’, kta)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2), Singular; adjective qualifying an implied ‘word/message’: ‘intended as a counter-speech/retort’

• gurum: the teacher
• gurum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2), Singular

• prasādayan: propitiating
• prasādayan: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prasādayant (कृदन्त; √sad सद् with pra-, causative)
• Form: Present participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular; ‘propitiating/pleasing’

• mūrdhnā: with (his) head
• mūrdhnā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3), Singular

• pādayoḥ: at the feet (of)
• pādayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative/Genitive (7/6), Dual (द्विवचन); here with ‘patitaḥ’ = locative dual ‘at the feet’

• patitaḥ: fallen (prostrate)
• patitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: patita (कृदन्त; √pat पत्, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular; past participle; agrees with ‘vṛṣaparvā’

• pathi: on the road
• pathi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Vṛṣaparvā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about seeking forgiveness from superiors?

This verse shows Vṛṣaparvā pacifying his superior by bowing down and falling at his feet, illustrating that humility and sincere repentance are dharmic ways to resolve grave conflict.

Why did Vṛṣaparvā fall at the feet of his superior in Bhagavatam 9.18?

He understood that retaliation was imminent—his son-in-law had arrived with an opposing force—so he tried to avert disaster by surrendering his pride and begging pardon.

How can the teaching of Bhagavatam 9.18.26 be applied in modern life?

When tensions escalate, de-escalate through humility—acknowledge fault, approach respected elders or authorities sincerely, and prioritize reconciliation over ego.