Shloka 25

The Birth of Mahārāja Parīkṣit and Prophecies of His Greatness

Devanagari script

धृत्या बलिसम: कृष्णे प्रह्राद इव सद्ग्रह: । आहर्तैषोऽश्वमेधानां वृद्धानां पर्युपासक: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

dhṛtyā bali-samaḥ kṛṣṇe prahrāda iva sad-grahaḥ āhartaiṣo ’śvamedhānāṁ vṛddhānāṁ paryupāsakaḥ

Translation

This child will be patient like Mahārāja Bali and steadfastly devoted to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa like Mahārāja Prahlāda. He will perform many Aśvamedha sacrifices and reverently serve the aged and experienced.

Synonyms

• धृत्या: by steadfastness
• धृत्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/हेतु), एकवचन; instrumental/means: 'by/with firmness'

• बलि-समः: equal to Bali
• बलि-समः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुषः (बलिना समः); adjective agreeing with implied subject (एषः)

• कृष्णे: in devotion to Kṛṣṇa / regarding Kṛṣṇa
• कृष्णे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; locative: 'in/with regard to Kṛṣṇa'

• प्रह्रादः: Prahlāda
• प्रह्रादः: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रह्राद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; used in comparison (upamāna)

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• सत्-ग्रहः: of noble resolve
• सत्-ग्रहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सत् एव ग्रहः) 'good resolve/firm grasp'; adjective of implied subject (एषः)

• आहर्ता: performer
• आहर्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु) → आहर्तृ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृच्-प्रत्ययान्त कर्तृवाचक (agent noun): 'one who will perform/bring'

• एषः: this (one)
• एषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; demonstrative pronoun

• अश्वमेधानाम्: of horse-sacrifices
• अश्वमेधानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्वमेध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; genitive plural: 'of Aśvamedha sacrifices'

• वृद्धानाम्: of elders
• वृद्धानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; genitive plural: 'of elders'

• पर्युपासकः: attendant/servant
• पर्युपासकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-उप-आस् (धातु) → पर्युपासक (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ण्वुल्/अक-प्रत्ययान्त कर्तृवाचक: 'one who serves/attends upon'

Purport

Bali Mahārāja: One of the twelve authorities in the devotional service of the Lord. Bali Mahārāja is a great authority in devotional service because he sacrificed everything to please the Lord and relinquished the connection of his so-called spiritual master who obstructed him on the path of risking everything for the service of the Lord. The highest perfection of religious life is to attain to the stage of unqualified devotional service of the Lord without any cause or without being obstructed by any kind of worldly obligation. Bali Mahārāja was determined to give up everything for the satisfaction of the Lord, and he did not care for any obstruction whatsoever. He is the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja, another authority in the devotional service of the Lord. Bali Mahārāja and the history of his dealings with Viṣṇu Vāmanadeva are described in the Eighth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (Chapter 11-24).

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Kṛṣṇa
• Prahlāda Mahārāja
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What are the qualities of Mahārāja Parīkṣit described in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.12.25?

This verse praises Parīkṣit’s steadfast courage (like Bali), unwavering devotion to Kṛṣṇa (like Prahlāda), readiness to uphold Vedic duties such as Aśvamedha, and his respectful service to elders.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī compare Parīkṣit to Bali and Prahlāda?

To highlight two hallmark virtues of exalted devotees—unyielding determination in duty (Bali) and fixed devotion to Kṛṣṇa despite all circumstances (Prahlāda)—as naturally present in Parīkṣit.

How can serving elders (vṛddhānāṁ paryupāsakaḥ) be applied in modern life?

By practicing humility and gratitude—seeking guidance from seniors, caring for parents and teachers, and honoring experience—one cultivates character that supports steady spiritual practice and devotion.