Shloka 52

ध्रुवस्य तपः — देवमायाविघ्नाः, विष्णोर्दर्शनम्, स्तुतिः, ध्रुवस्थानप्रदानम्

Devanagari script

अथ प्रसन्नवदनः तत्क्षणान् नृपनन्दनः तुष्टाव प्रणतो भूत्वा भूतधातारम् अच्युतम्

Transliteration

atha prasannavadanaḥ tatkṣaṇān nṛpanandanaḥ tuṣṭāva praṇato bhūtvā bhūtadhātāram acyutam

Translation

Then, his face bright with serenity, the prince at that very moment bowed in reverence and praised Acyuta, the imperishable Lord, sustainer and ordainer of all beings.

Word by Word

• अथ: then, thereafter
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (sequence/beginning marker)

• प्रसन्न-वदनः: having a serene face
• प्रसन्न-वदनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• तत्-क्षणान्: those moments, immediately
• तत्-क्षणान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd); बहुवचन; कालवाचक (time-expression)

• नृप-नन्दनः: the king's son
• नृप-नन्दनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक) + नन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रणतः: bowed down, prostrated
• प्रणतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-नम् (धातु) → प्रणत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन; विशेषण

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya (Subordinate action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वक्रिया (prior action)

• भूत-धातारम्: the sustainer of beings
• भूत-धातारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + धातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• अच्युतम्: Acyuta (the infallible one)
• अच्युतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति; एकवचन; नाम (epithet)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Identification of the supreme cause and object of refuge; the Lord as sustainer of beings

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The proper response to recognizing Acyuta as the sustainer of all beings is humble prostration and praise.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Cultivate daily namaskāra and stotra-recitation as a discipline of surrender (śaraṇāgati).

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord is both transcendent and the personal ‘patī’ (master) worthy of loving service; devotion is a valid pramāṇa for relating to Brahman.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Acyuta)
• Prince (nṛpanandana)
• All beings (bhūta)

FAQs

What is the significance of calling Vishnu “Bhūtadhātā” in the Vishnu Purana?

It presents Vishnu as the underlying sustainer and regulator of existence—supporting all beings and thereby grounding cosmic order and dharma.

How does Sage Parāśara frame devotion within the royal dynasties?

Through brief but pointed moments like this, Parāśara shows princes and kings gaining clarity and turning to reverent praise, implying that true sovereignty is aligned with Vishnu’s supremacy.

What is the theological importance of “Acyuta” in this context?

“Acyuta” emphasizes Vishnu’s unfailing, imperishable nature—making him the reliable refuge and ultimate lord whom even royal heirs acknowledge through surrender and praise.