Shloka 19

Purukutsa’s Rasātala Victory; Triśaṅku and Hariścandra; Rohita and Śunaḥśepha

Devanagari script

एवं द्वितीये तृतीये चतुर्थे पञ्चमे तथा । अभ्येत्याभ्येत्य स्थविरो विप्रो भूत्वाह वृत्रहा ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ dvitīye tṛtīye caturthe pañcame tathā abhyetyābhyetya sthaviro vipro bhūtvāha vṛtra-hā

Translation

Thus, at the end of the second, third, fourth, and fifth years, whenever Rohita sought to return to his capital, Indra—the slayer of Vṛtra—approached him in the guise of an aged brāhmaṇa and forbade his return, repeating the very same words as before.

Synonyms

एवम्thus

द्वितीयेin the second (year)

तृतीयेin the third (year)

चतुर्थेin the fourth (year)

पञ्चमेin the fifth (year)

तथाlikewise

अभ्येत्यhaving come (to him)

अभ्येत्यagain and again approaching

स्थविरःan old (man)

विप्रःa brāhmaṇa

भूत्वाhaving become

आहsaid

वृत्र-हाVṛtra-slayer (Indra)

Characters & Entities

Indra (Vṛtrahā)

FAQs

Why does Indra appear as an old brāhmaṇa in Bhagavatam 9.7?

This verse indicates Indra repeatedly approached in the guise of an aged brāhmaṇa to speak in a way that would be respected and persuasive, reflecting a strategic attempt to influence events through a socially sacred role.

Who is speaking in Srimad Bhagavatam 9.7.19 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse while recounting the Ninth Canto history to King Parīkṣit, describing Indra (the slayer of Vṛtra) and his repeated approach.

What practical lesson does Bhagavatam 9.7.19 teach for modern life?

It highlights that influence often comes through trusted appearances and repeated persuasion; therefore, one should use discernment—judging by integrity and truth, not merely by external status or presentation.