Shloka 48

Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire

Devanagari script

अयजद् यज्ञपुरुषं क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । सर्वदेवमयं देवं सर्ववेदमयं हरिम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

ayajad yajña-puruṣaṁ kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ sarva-devamayaṁ devaṁ sarva-vedamayaṁ harim

Translation

King Yayāti performed many sacrifices and bestowed abundant gifts upon the brāhmaṇas to please Hari, the Lord of sacrifice, who embodies all the devas and is the goal of all Vedic knowledge.

Synonyms

• ayajat: he worshipped/sacrificed
• ayajat: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yaj (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• yajña-puruṣam: the Lord of sacrifice (Yajña-Puruṣa)
• yajña-puruṣam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative); पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• kratubhiḥ: with rites/sacrifices
• kratubhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kratu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ: with abundant sacrificial gifts
• bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūri (प्रातिपदिक) + dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; (बहु-दक्षिणा = having abundant fees/gifts); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण of ‘kratubhiḥ’

• sarva-devamayam: consisting of all the gods
• sarva-devamayam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of ‘devam/harim’

• devam: the God
• devam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• sarva-vedamayam: consisting of all the Vedas
• sarva-vedamayam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + veda (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of ‘harim’

• harim: Hari (Vishnu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Yajña-puruṣa
• Hari

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Yajña-puruṣa (the Lord of sacrifice)?

This verse states that the ultimate recipient and indwelling reality of sacrifice is the Supreme Lord Himself—Yajña-puruṣa—who is Hari.

Why is Hari described as 'sarva-deva-maya' (containing all demigods) in this verse?

Because all devas derive their powers from the Supreme Lord; worship offered to Him reaches the root of all divine administrations.

Practical application of performing sacrifice with 'bhūri-dakṣiṇā' (abundant charity) in modern life?

Offer your work and resources to God-centered purposes and give generously in charity; the spirit of sacrifice and giving purifies intention and strengthens devotion.