Shloka 30

Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ

Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra

Devanagari script

तत:ः फलानि पत्राणि शाखाश्षापि मनोहरा: । शुकस्य दृढ्भत्तित्वात्‌ श्रीमत्तां प्राप स द्रुम:

Transliteration

tataḥ phalāni patrāṇi śākhāś cāpi manoharāḥ | śukasya dṛḍha-bhaktitvāt śrīmatāṃ prāpa sa drumaḥ ||

Translation

Then fresh leaves and fruits appeared, and lovely branches too. Because of the parrot’s steadfast devotion, that tree regained its former prosperity and splendor—showing how unwavering bhakti can restore what has withered and bring auspiciousness back to life.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: avyaya

• फलानि: fruits
• फलानि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल
• Form: neuter, nominative, plural

• पत्राणि: leaves
• पत्राणि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्र
• Form: neuter, nominative, plural

• शाखाः: branches
• शाखाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाखा
• Form: feminine, nominative, plural

• अपि: also/even
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि
• Form: avyaya

• मनोहराः: charming/beautiful
• मनोहराः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर
• Form: feminine, nominative, plural (agreeing with शाखाः)

• शुकस्य: of the parrot
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• दृढभक्तित्वात्: because of steadfast devotion
• दृढभक्तित्वात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: दृढभक्तित्व
• Form: neuter, ablative, singular

• श्रीमत्ताम्: prosperity/splendour
• श्रीमत्ताम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective (used substantively)
• Root: श्रीमन्त्
• Form: feminine, accusative, singular (abstract state/condition)

• प्राप: attained/obtained
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप्
• Form: aorist (luṅ), 3rd person, singular, parasmaipada

• सः: he/that (tree)
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• द्रुमः: tree
• द्रुमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रुम
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Shuka (parrot)
• Druma (tree)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Steadfast devotion (dṛḍha-bhakti) has transformative power: it can revive what is diminished and restore śrī—prosperity, auspiciousness, and well-being—highlighting the ethical value of loyal, unwavering commitment.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes a tree that had lost its vitality; then new leaves, fruits, and beautiful branches emerge. This renewal occurs because of the parrot’s firm devotion, and the tree returns to its earlier splendor.