Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 16

Nārada’s Instructions: Śrāddha, True Dharma, Contentment, Yoga, and Devotion-Centered Renunciation

Devanagari script

सन्तुष्टस्य निरीहस्य स्वात्मारामस्य यत्सुखम् । कुतस्तत्कामलोभेन धावतोऽर्थेहया दिश: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

santuṣṭasya nirīhasya svātmārāmasya yat sukham kutas tat kāma-lobhena dhāvato ’rthehayā diśaḥ

Translation

One who is content, free from restless endeavor, and rejoices within the self—linking all actions to the Supreme Lord dwelling in everyone’s heart—tastes transcendental happiness without striving for livelihood. But where is such happiness for the materialist, driven by lust and greed, who runs in every direction to amass wealth?

Synonyms

• सन्तुष्टस्य: of the content one
• सन्तुष्टस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सन्तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; तुष् धातु + सम् + क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP) ‘content’; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• निरीहस्य: of the desireless/effortless one
• निरीहस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरीह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• स्वात्मारामस्य: of one who delights in the Self
• स्वात्मारामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (स्वात्मनि आरामः यस्य/स्वात्मनि रमते); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• यत्: which
• यत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक ‘which’ (qualifying सुखम्)

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कुतः: from where/how (could it be)
• कुतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कुतः (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक अव्यय (interrogative adverb)

• तत्: that (happiness)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अन्वयार्थक ‘that’ (refers to सुखम्)

• कामलोभेन: by desire and greed
• कामलोभेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक) + लोभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (कामश्च लोभश्च); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• धावतः: of one who runs about
• धावतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव् (धातु) + शतृ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle) ‘running’; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• अर्थेहया: by the pursuit of wealth
• अर्थेहया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + ईहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अर्थस्य ईहा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• दिशः: directions (all quarters)
• दिशः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Prahlada Maharaja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about contentment (santoṣa)?

This verse teaches that true happiness belongs to the content and self-satisfied person, not to one who chases wealth under the push of lust and greed.

Why did Prahlada Maharaja speak about lust, greed, and running after wealth?

In his instructions on dharma and proper living, Prahlada contrasts inner satisfaction with the restless life of material pursuit, showing that greed-driven effort cannot produce real peace.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Reduce unnecessary wants, practice honest livelihood, and cultivate inner devotion and gratitude—so happiness comes from within rather than from constant chasing of more money and pleasures.