Shloka 32

Devanagari script

उत्तानपादतनयं मां निबोधत सत्तमाः जातं सुनीत्यां निर्वेदाद् युष्माकं प्राप्तम् अन्तिकम्

Transliteration

uttānapādatanayaṃ māṃ nibodhata sattamāḥ jātaṃ sunītyāṃ nirvedād yuṣmākaṃ prāptam antikam

Translation

O best among the virtuous, know me: I am the son of King Uttānapāda, born of Sunīti. Driven by dispassion and firm resolve, I have come near you, seeking your refuge and guidance.

Word by Word

• uttānapāda: Uttānapāda
• uttānapāda: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uttānapāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; समासपूर्वपद (नाम)

• tanayam: son
• tanayam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tanaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (उत्तानपाद-तनय) षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (son of Uttānapāda)

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• nibodhata: know/understand (you all)
• nibodhata: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√budh (बुध्) (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• sattamāḥ: O best ones (excellent sages)
• sattamāḥ: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat-tama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, बहुवचन; (सत् + तम) कर्मधारय (श्रेष्ठाः)

• jātam: born
• jātam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √jan (जन्) + kta (क्त) → jāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'mām' इत्यस्य विशेषण (born)

• sunītyām: in Sunīti (from Sunīti)
• sunītyām: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sunīti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• nirvedāt: from dispassion/anguish
• nirvedāt: Apadana (Cause/Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirveda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/अपादान), एकवचन

• yuṣmākam: of you (all)
• yuṣmākam: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuṣmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन; स्वाम्यर्थे (possessive genitive)

• prāptam: arrived/reached
• prāptam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pra-√āp (आप्) + kta (क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'mām' इत्यस्य विशेषण (having reached)

• antikam: near (your presence)
• antikam: Adhikarana (Proximity/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (as adverbial accusative: 'near')

Speaker

Dhruva (addressing the sages in the forest)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Dhruva’s self-introduction and motive—nirveda leading to seeking guidance

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dispassion born of worldly pain can become the turning-point that moves one to seek refuge in the wise and begin the Godward path.

Vedantic Theme: Moksha

Application: Transform setbacks into spiritual fuel: acknowledge hurt, then channel it into disciplined practice under proper guidance.

Vishishtadvaita: Śaraṇāgati is implicit: the seeker approaches the righteous as an extension of seeking the Lord, aligning with the tradition of grace-mediated liberation.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge)

Key Kings: Uttānapāda, Dhruva, Sunīti

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Uttānapāda
• Sunīti
• Dhruva
• Sages (forest ascetics)

FAQs

What is the significance of Dhruva identifying himself as Uttānapāda’s son in the Vishnu Purana?

It anchors the episode within the Purana’s royal genealogies and highlights the contrast between worldly status and Dhruva’s choice to seek a higher, divine sovereignty.

How does the Vishnu Purana frame nirveda (dispassion) in Dhruva’s story?

Nirveda is presented as detachment born from lived pain—an inner turning that redirects ambition away from courtly validation toward spiritual attainment.

What theological takeaway about Lord Vishnu is implied in this context?

Dhruva’s approach to sages for guidance signals that ultimate refuge lies beyond kingship—toward Vishnu as the supreme goal who grants enduring, transcendent stability.