Shloka 29

Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ

Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra

Devanagari script

विदित्वा च दृढां भक्ति तां शुके शीलसम्पदम्‌ | प्रीत: क्षिप्रमथो वृक्षममृतेनावसिक्तवान्‌

Transliteration

viditvā ca dṛḍhāṃ bhaktiṃ tāṃ śuke śīla-sampadam | prītaḥ kṣipram atho vṛkṣam amṛtenāvasiktavān |

Translation

Bhishma said: Having recognized in Shuka that steadfast devotion and the wealth of good conduct, Indra became even more pleased. At once, moved by that joy, he sprinkled the tree with nectar—an act that signals how sincere devotion joined with virtuous character draws divine favor and brings life-giving results.

Word by Word

• विदित्वा: having known
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद्
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), परस्मैपद-भाव (active sense)

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• दृढाम्: firm, steadfast
• दृढाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृढ
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• भक्तिम्: devotion
• भक्तिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• ताम्: that (her/that one)
• ताम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• शुके: in/with regard to Śuka
• शुके: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• शीलसम्पदम्: wealth of good conduct/character
• शीलसम्पदम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शील-सम्पद्
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्री
• Form: क्त (past passive participle used adjectivally), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• क्षिप्रम्: quickly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्षिप्र

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• वृक्षम्: tree
• वृक्षम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृक्ष
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• अमृतेन: with nectar/ambrosia
• अमृतेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमृत
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अवसिक्तवान्: sprinkled/poured over
• अवसिक्तवान्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-√सिच्
• Form: क्तवतु (past active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Śuka
• Indra
• vṛkṣa (tree)
• amṛta (nectar)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse links spiritual devotion (bhakti) with ethical character (śīla): steadfast devotion that is supported by good conduct becomes especially worthy, and such integrity naturally attracts benevolent support—symbolized here by Indra’s life-giving nectar.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma narrates that Indra, seeing Shuka’s firm devotion and exemplary conduct, becomes delighted and immediately sprinkles a tree with amrita, indicating a divine response that revitalizes and blesses.