Shloka 14

Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation

Devanagari script

वचनाद् देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्विश्वात्मन: प्रभो: । वाहनत्वे वृतस्तस्य बभूवेन्द्रो महावृष: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

vacanād deva-devasya viṣṇor viśvātmanaḥ prabhoḥ vāhanatve vṛtas tasya babhūvendro mahā-vṛṣaḥ

Translation

By the order of Viṣṇu, the Lord of the gods and Soul of the universe, Indra accepted the role of his carrier and became a great bull. Purañjaya agreed to slay the daityas on the condition that Indra would bear him as his mount.

Synonyms

• वचनात्: from/according to the word (command)
• वचनात्: Apadana (अपादान/source; 'because of/from the word')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• देवदेवस्य: of the God of gods
• देवदेवस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानां देवः)

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• विश्वात्मनः: of the Soul of the universe
• विश्वात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विश्वस्य आत्मा)

• प्रभोः: of the Lord
• प्रभोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• वाहनत्वे: in the role of a vehicle/mount
• वाहनत्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; 'in the capacity of')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहनत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वृतः: chosen/appointed
• वृतः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तस्य: of him/of that (Lord)
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• बभूव: became
• बभूव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लिट्/परिपूर्णभूत (Perfect), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• इन्द्रः: Indra
• इन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• महावृषः: the great bull (name/epithet)
• महावृषः: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + वृष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् वृषः)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Indra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving Lord Vishnu even for powerful demigods like Indra?

This verse shows that even Indra, the king of heaven, accepts a subordinate role—becoming a carrier—simply by Lord Viṣṇu’s order, highlighting that true greatness is expressed through service to the Supreme.

Why did Indra become the carrier of Lord Vishnu in Bhagavatam Canto 9 Chapter 6?

Because Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord and Soul of the universe, commanded it; Indra was selected to serve in that capacity, indicating Viṣṇu’s supreme position and Indra’s obedience.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Adopt a seva mindset: accept guidance from higher principles (dharma and devotion), and express strength through humility, reliability, and service rather than ego or status.