Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 63

Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons

Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions

Devanagari script

अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषद: सौम्या: पितर आज्यपा: । साग्नयोऽनग्नयस्तेषां पत्नी दाक्षायणी स्वधा ॥ ६३ ॥

Transliteration

agniṣvāttā barhiṣadaḥ saumyāḥ pitara ājyapāḥ sāgnayo ’nagnayas teṣāṁ patnī dākṣāyaṇī svadhā

Translation

Les Agniṣvāttas, les Barhiṣadas, les Saumyas et les Ājyapas sont les Pitṛs. Ils sont soit sāgnika soit niragnika. L’épouse de tous ces Pitṛs est Svadhā, fille de Dakṣa.

Synonyms

• agniṣvāttāḥ: the Agniṣvāttas
• agniṣvāttāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक) + svātta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सप्तमी/उपपद: ‘अग्नौ स्वात्ताः’ = ‘offered in fire’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); पितृगण-नाम

• barhiṣadaḥ: the Barhiṣads
• barhiṣadaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: barhis (प्रातिपदिक) + √sad (सद्) (धातु) → barhiṣad (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सप्तमी: ‘बर्हिषि सदन्ति’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); पितृगण-नाम

• saumyāḥ: the Saumyās
• saumyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saumya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); पितृगण-नाम

• pitaraḥ: the Pitṛs (manes)
• pitaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• ājyapāḥ: the Ājyapās (ghee-drinkers)
• ājyapāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājya (प्रातिपदिक) + √pā (पा) (धातु) → pā (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारय/उपपद: ‘आज्यं पिबन्ति’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); पितृगण-नाम

• sa-agnayaḥ: having fires (with fire)
• sa-agnayaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक/उपसर्गवत् ‘with’) + agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सह: ‘अग्निभिः सह’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); अनग्नयः इति विशेषण-युग्म

• anagnayaḥ: without fires
• anagnayaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-समास/नकारान्त-निर्माण (privative ‘without’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• teṣām: of them
• teṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural)

• patnī: wife
• patnī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patnī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• dākṣāyaṇī: Dākṣāyaṇī
• dākṣāyaṇī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dākṣāyaṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); व्यक्तिनाम (proper name/epithet: daughter of Dakṣa)

• svadhā: Svadhā
• svadhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svadhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); व्यक्तिनाम

Characters & Entities

• Agniṣvātta Pitṛs
• Barhiṣad Pitṛs
• Saumya Pitṛs
• Ājyapā Pitṛs
• Svadhā
• Dakṣa

FAQs

Who are the Pitṛs (forefathers) mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.1.63?

This verse names four classifications of Pitṛs—Agniṣvāttas, Barhiṣads, Saumyas, and Ājyapas—and notes that some are connected with sacrificial fire while others are not.

Who is Svadhā in the Bhagavata Purana?

Svadhā is described here as the daughter of Dakṣa and the consort of the Pitṛs, personifying the sacred offering made to forefathers in Vedic rites such as śrāddha.

What is the practical relevance of remembering Pitṛs and Svadhā today?

The verse highlights gratitude and sacred responsibility toward one’s lineage; in modern life, this can be applied through respectful remembrance of ancestors, family duty, and performing acts of charity and devotion in their honor.