Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 48

Devanagari script

अल्पाक्षरमनंतार्थं वाक्यं ब्रूहि महामते । अभीतो भव सर्वत्र विपक्षेषु विपत्सु च

Transliteration

alpākṣaramanaṃtārthaṃ vākyaṃ brūhi mahāmate | abhīto bhava sarvatra vipakṣeṣu vipatsu ca

Translation

O great-minded one, speak a sentence that is few in words yet endless in meaning. Be fearless everywhere—among opponents and even in times of calamity.

Word by Word

• अल्पाक्षरम्: short in syllables
• अल्पाक्षरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• अनन्तार्थम्: having endless meaning
• अनन्तार्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• वाक्यम्: a statement/sentence
• वाक्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• ब्रूहि: speak/tell
• ब्रूहि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• महामते: O great-minded one
• महामते: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन; (महान् + मतिः)

• अभीतः: fearless
• अभीतः: Kartā (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• भव: be
• भव: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषणम् (locative adverb)

• विपक्षेषु: among opponents
• विपक्षेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन

• विपत्सु: in calamities
• विपत्सु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Unspecified (didactic instruction within Brahmottara Khaṇḍa; likely an elder/teacher voice addressing a listener)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A guru-like elder instructs a seeker: a single short aphorism inscribed on a palm-leaf, while storm clouds and armed opponents appear in the background—yet the seeker stands calm.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Cultivate disciplined speech—few words, deep truth—and remain fearless amid opposition and hardship.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it functions as general dharma-instruction within the Brahmottara section.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None explicitly; the verse prescribes inner discipline: truthful, meaningful speech and fearlessness.