Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 1

Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint

Devanagari script

श्रीनारद उवाच कल्पस्त्वेवं परिव्रज्य देहमात्रावशेषित: । ग्रामैकरात्रविधिना निरपेक्षश्चरेन्महीम् ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-nārada uvāca kalpas tv evaṁ parivrajya deha-mātrāvaśeṣitaḥ grāmaika-rātra-vidhinā nirapekṣaś caren mahīm

Translation

Śrī Nārada Muni said: One who can cultivate spiritual knowledge should renounce all material ties, maintaining the body only so far as it can be sustained. Following the rule of staying but one night in each village, and remaining independent of bodily needs, the sannyāsī should wander over the whole earth.

Synonyms

• śrī-nāradaḥ: Śrī Nārada
• śrī-nāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक) + nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nominative), Ekavacana; honorific karmadhāraya 'glorious Nārada'

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• kalpaḥ: the rule/procedure
• kalpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Anvaya (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adversative/contrast particle (तु-निपात)

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• parivrajya: having become a wandering renunciant
• parivrajya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari-√vraj (व्रज्) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समर्थ)

• deha-mātra-avaśeṣitaḥ: left with only the body
• deha-mātra-avaśeṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deha (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक) + avaśeṣita (कृदन्त; ava-√śiṣ शिष्)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; multi-member tatpuruṣa: 'left with only the body (as remainder)' qualifying implied subject (parivrāṭ)

• grāma-eka-rātra-vidhinā: by the rule of one-night-per-village
• grāma-eka-rātra-vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāma (प्रातिपदिक) + eka (प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental), Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: 'by the rule of (staying) one night in a village'

• nirapekṣaḥ: without dependence/expectation
• nirapekṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-apekṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; adjective qualifying the renunciant

• caret: should wander
• caret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √car (चर्)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• mahīm: the earth
• mahīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative), Ekavacana

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the lifestyle of a wandering renunciant (parivrājaka)?

This verse says a renunciant should wander freely, keep only what maintains the body, remain independent of others, and stay only one night in a village to avoid attachment.

Why does Nārada Muni advise staying only one night in a village?

To prevent forming new social ties, comforts, and dependence—attachments that can distract a renunciant from single-minded spiritual practice.

Practical application of nirapekṣa (non-dependence) in modern life?

Reduce unnecessary needs, avoid lifestyle inflation, and cultivate inner steadiness so spiritual practice doesn’t rely on constant external comfort, praise, or support.