Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 23

Puṁsavana / Viṣṇu-vrata: Worship of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa for Auspicious Progeny and Fortune

Devanagari script

आशिष: शिरसादाय द्विजै: प्रीतै: समीरिता: । प्रणम्य शिरसा भक्त्या भुञ्जीत तदनुज्ञया ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

āśiṣaḥ śirasādāya dvijaiḥ prītaiḥ samīritāḥ praṇamya śirasā bhaktyā bhuñjīta tad-anujñayā

Translation

Thereafter he should satisfy the brāhmaṇas. When the pleased brāhmaṇas bestow their blessings, he should bow his head in devotion, offer respectful obeisances, and, with their permission, partake of prasāda.

Synonyms

• āśiṣaḥ: blessings
• āśiṣaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśis (आशिष्) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन (pl.)

• śirasā: with the head
• śirasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (शिरस्) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.)

• ādāya: having received
• ādāya: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√dā (दा/दद् धातु ‘to take’) (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); उपसर्ग ‘ā’; अर्थः ‘गृहीत्वा/स्वीकृत्य’ = ‘having received’

• dvijaiḥ: by the brāhmaṇas
• dvijaiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (द्विज) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन (pl.)

• prītaiḥ: pleased
• prītaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prīta (प्री √प्री धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन (pl.); ‘dvijaiḥ’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• samīritāḥ: uttered/spoken
• samīritāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√īr (ईर् धातु ‘to utter’) (क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.) प्रथमा (1st) बहुवचन (pl.); ‘āśiṣaḥ’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• praṇamya: having bowed
• praṇamya: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√nam (नम् धातु) (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); उपसर्ग ‘pra’; अर्थः ‘नत्वा’ = ‘having bowed’

• śirasā: with the head
• śirasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (शिरस्) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.)

• bhaktyā: with devotion
• bhaktyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (भक्ति) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.)

• bhuñjīta: should eat/partake
• bhuñjīta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (भुज् धातु ‘to eat/enjoy’)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (sg.)

• tad-anujñayā: with their permission
• tad-anujñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + anujñā (अनुज्ञा) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी: ‘तस्य अनुज्ञा’); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन (sg.)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about accepting blessings from brāhmaṇas?

This verse teaches that one should reverently accept the brāhmaṇas’ blessings—symbolically placing them on one’s head—bow with devotion, and accept offerings only with their permission.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize bowing and taking permission in this verse?

He highlights Vaiṣṇava sadācāra (proper devotional conduct): humility, respect for saintly brāhmaṇas, and disciplined acceptance rather than entitlement.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Practice humility: honor elders/teachers, receive guidance with gratitude, and accept resources or hospitality ethically—only with clear consent and a devotional, respectful attitude.