Shloka 8

Devanagari script

तस्येमां गाथां पाण्डवेय पुराविद उपगायन्ति ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

tasyemāṁ gāthāṁ pāṇḍaveya purāvida upagāyanti.

Translation

O Parīkṣit, descendant of the Pāṇḍus, the learned knowers of Purāṇic histories sing this gāthā in praise of King Gaya.

Synonyms

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• इमाम्: this
• इमाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गाथाम्)

• गाथाम्: song/verse
• गाथाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गाथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पाण्डवेय: O descendant of Pāṇḍu
• पाण्डवेय: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डवेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• पुराविदः: the knowers of ancient lore
• पुराविदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराविद् (प्रातिपदिक; पुरा + विद्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• उपगायन्ति: sing (in praise)
• उपगायन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-गै (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; धातु: गै (to sing) with उपसर्ग उप

Purport

The historical references to exalted kings serve as a good example for present rulers. Those who are ruling the world at the present moment should take lessons from King Gaya, King Yudhiṣṭhira and King Pṛthu and rule the citizens so that they will be happy. Presently the governments are levying taxes without improving the citizens in any cultural, religious, social or political way. According to the Vedas, this is not recommended.

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit
• Bharata Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam mean by 'purāvidaḥ upagāyanti'?

It means that learned authorities who know ancient Purāṇic history regularly sing or recite a traditional verse glorifying Bharata Mahārāja.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī address Parīkṣit as 'Pāṇḍaveya' here?

Śukadeva reminds Parīkṣit of his identity as a descendant of the Pāṇḍavas, grounding the narration in the Kuru dynasty context while introducing a famous traditional praise-verse.

Practical application: what does this verse teach a modern reader?

It highlights the value of hearing and preserving saintly histories—regularly reciting exalted lives strengthens faith and inspires steadiness in dharma and devotion.