Shloka 23

Devotion in Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and the Glory of Bhārata-varṣa

Rāmacandra & Nara-Nārāyaṇa; Rivers, Varṇāśrama, and Liberation

Devanagari script

कल्पायुषां स्थानजयात्पुनर्भवात् क्षणायुषां भारतभूजयो वरम् । क्षणेन मर्त्येन कृतं मनस्विन: सन्न्यस्य संयान्त्यभयं पदं हरे: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

kalpāyuṣāṁ sthānajayāt punar-bhavāt kṣaṇāyuṣāṁ bhārata-bhūjayo varam kṣaṇena martyena kṛtaṁ manasvinaḥ sannyasya saṁyānty abhayaṁ padaṁ hareḥ

Translation

A brief life on the soil of Bhārata is better than attaining Brahmaloka for kalpas, for even in Brahmaloka one must return to repeated birth. In Bhārata, within a short span, a resolute mortal can renounce all and fully surrender to the lotus feet of Hari, thus reaching the fearless abode—Vaikuṇṭha—where there is neither anxiety nor rebirth in a material body.

Synonyms

• kalpa-āyuṣām: of the long-lived (kalpa-lived)
• kalpa-āyuṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक) + āyus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 'those whose lifespan is a kalpa'; Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• sthāna-jayāt: than conquering high positions
• sthāna-jayāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāna (प्रातिपदिक) + jaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 'conquest of position/place' (i.e., attaining high stations); Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• punar-bhavāt: than rebirth
• punar-bhavāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: punar (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + bhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 're-becoming' (rebirth); Masculine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular

• kṣaṇa-āyuṣām: of the short-lived
• kṣaṇa-āyuṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + āyus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 'those whose lifespan is a moment'; Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• bhārata-bhūjayaḥ: those born in Bhārata (India)
• bhārata-bhūjayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhārata (प्रातिपदिक) + bhū (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: 'born in the land of Bhārata' (bhū-ja); Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• varam: better/superior
• varam: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular; predicate adjective

• kṣaṇena: in a moment
• kṣaṇena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; adverbial instrumental

• martyena: by a mortal
• martyena: Karaṇa (करण) / Agent-instrumental
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• kṛtam: (all) done actions
• kṛtam: Karma (कर्म) / Object of sannyasya
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (√kṛ धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular; used substantively: 'that which is done'

• manasvinaḥ: the resolute ones
• manasvinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; 'the wise/strong-minded'

• sannyasya: having renounced
• sannyasya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√nyas (न्यस् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्): sannyasya; 'having renounced'

• saṁyānti: go/attain
• saṁyānti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√yā (या धातु)
• Form: Lakāra: Laṭ (Present), Parasmaipada; 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• abhayam: fearless
• abhayam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies padam

• padam: state/abode
• padam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

Purport

This is further confirmation of the statement given by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

Characters & Entities

• Hari

FAQs

Why does the Srimad Bhagavatam praise birth in Bharata-varsha?

Because even with a short human lifespan, one can practice renunciation and devotion and attain Lord Hari’s fearless abode—something not guaranteed by long life or heavenly achievements.

Who is speaking Srimad Bhagavatam 5.19.23 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this to King Parīkṣit while describing Jambūdvīpa and emphasizing the unique spiritual opportunity available in Bhārata-varṣa.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

Use the limited time of human life for sincere spiritual practice—detachment from temporary status and pleasures, and steady devotion to Hari—rather than postponing inner transformation.