Shloka 9

Devanagari script

पित्रा प्रचेतसः प्रोक्ताः प्रजार्थम् अमितात्मना प्रजापतिनियुक्तेन बहुमानपुरःसरम्

Transliteration

pitrā pracetasaḥ proktāḥ prajārtham amitātmanā prajāpatiniyuktena bahumānapuraḥsaram

Translation

Commissioned by the Prajāpati, their father—boundless in spirit—instructed the Pracetases for the sake of bringing forth progeny; and with honor and reverence before them, they undertook their appointed duty.

Word by Word

• पित्रा: by the father
• पित्रा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• प्रचेतसः: the Pracetases
• प्रचेतसः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रचेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• प्रोक्ताः: were instructed/told
• प्रोक्ताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• प्रजार्थम्: for the sake of progeny
• प्रजार्थम्: Hetu/Prayojana (Purpose/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययार्थे (for the sake of progeny)

• अमितात्मना: by the one of immeasurable self (mighty one)
• अमितात्मना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमित (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—अमितः आत्मा यस्य (नामधेय/विशेषण)

• प्रजापतिनियुक्तेन: by one appointed by Prajāpati
• प्रजापतिनियुक्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक) + नियुक्त (युज् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—प्रजापतिना नियुक्तः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• बहुमानपुरःसरम्: with great respect in front; preceded by reverence
• बहुमानपुरःसरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुमान (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरःसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—बहुमानः पुरःसरः यस्य/यत् (respect as the forerunner)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Procreation and social duties, when undertaken by divine commission and with reverence, are part of sustaining the Lord’s ordered creation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Perform life-duties (family, work, service) as entrusted responsibilities—act with respect, humility, and intention rather than ego.

Vishishtadvaita: The cosmos advances by the Lord’s inner governance (antaryāmin) through appointed agents like Prajāpati; worldly action becomes service within divine orchestration.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Prajā-dharma (responsibility to sustain beings)

Key Kings: Pracetāḥ, Prācīnabarhis, Prajāpati

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Antaryamin: Yes

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Pracetases
• Prajapati
• Father of the Pracetases

FAQs

What is the significance of Prajāpati’s appointment in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse highlights delegated cosmic governance: progenitors act under Prajāpati’s ordinance, showing creation proceeds through lawful commission rather than randomness.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the role of the Pracetases here?

Parāśara presents them as dutiful agents of creation—formally instructed by their father and empowered by Prajāpati’s command to further the continuity of beings.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Even when Vishnu is not named, the Purana’s theology implies that ordered creation and rightful authority ultimately rest on the Supreme Reality, with Prajāpatis functioning within that higher sovereignty.