Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

तं शयानं धरोपस्थे कावेर्यां सह्यसानुनि । रजस्वलैस्तनूदेशैर्निगूढामलतेजसम् ॥ १२ ॥ ददर्श लोकान्विचरन् लोकतत्त्वविवित्सया । वृतोऽमात्यै: कतिपयै: प्रह्रादो भगवत्प्रिय: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

taṁ śayānaṁ dharopasthe kāveryāṁ sahya-sānuni rajas-valais tanū-deśair nigūḍhāmala-tejasam

Translation

Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Bhagavān’s most beloved servant, traveled through the worlds with a few trusted companions to learn the true nature of saintly persons. Reaching the bank of the Kāverī near Mount Sahya, he beheld a great sage lying upon the earth, his limbs dust-covered, yet concealing within a spotless spiritual radiance.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• शयानम्: lying down
• शयानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शी (धातु) → शयान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, शतृ/शानच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; वर्तमानकाले कृदन्तः (present participle, Ātmanepada sense)

• धरा-उपस्थे: on the lap of the earth (ground)
• धरा-उपस्थे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धरा (प्रातिपदिक) + उपस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धरायाः उपस्थः)

• कावेऱ्याम्: on/at the (river) Kaverī
• कावेऱ्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कावेरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सह्य-सानुनि: on the slope/ridge of the Sahya (mountain)
• सह्य-सानुनि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सह्यस्य सानुः)

• रजस्वलैः: dusty, covered with pollen/dust
• रजस्वलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रजस्वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करण), बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• तनू-देशैः: with parts of the body (limbs)
• तनू-देशैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तनू (प्रातिपदिक) + देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तन्वाः देशाः = शरीर-प्रदेशाः)

• निगूढ-अमल-तेजसम्: whose pure radiance was concealed
• निगूढ-अमल-तेजसम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निगूढ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + अमल (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः—कर्मधारयः (अमलं तेजः यस्य तत्; तद् निगूढम्)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda
• Lord Viṣṇu (as the Lord seen lying on the earth)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Lord appearing neglected yet spiritually radiant?

This verse shows that the Lord’s external appearance may seem ordinary or even neglected, yet His inner spiritual brilliance (amala-tejas) remains pure and undiminished.

Why is the Kāverī River and Sahya mountain region mentioned in this verse?

The verse places the event in a sacred geography of South India, emphasizing the Lord’s presence in holy tīrthas and the contemplative setting where exalted devotees encounter Him.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Do not judge sanctity by externals; cultivate inner devotion and learn to recognize spiritual depth even when it is not outwardly displayed.