Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

स्तावकांस्तानभिप्रेत्य पृथुर्वैन्य: प्रतापवान् । मेघनिर्ह्रादया वाचा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

stāvakāṁs tān abhipretya pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān megha-nirhrādayā vācā prahasann idam abravīt

Translation

Voyant devant lui ces professionnels de la louange, le puissant roi Pṛthu, fils de Vena, leur sourit pour les honorer et, d’une voix grave semblable au grondement des nuages, parla ainsi.

Synonyms

• स्तावकान्: praisers; eulogists
• स्तावकान्: कर्म (Karma/object—those addressed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तावक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• तान्: those
• तान्: कर्म (Karma/object—apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अभिप्रेत्य: having considered; having understood
• अभिप्रेत्य: पूर्वकाल (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-प्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having understood/considered’

• पृथुः: Pṛthu
• पृथुः: कर्ता (Karta/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वैन्यः: son of Vena
• वैन्यः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—appositive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण/उपनाम (patronymic) of ‘पृथुः’

• प्रतापवान्: mighty; valorous
• प्रतापवान्: कर्ता (Karta/subject—appositive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतापवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘पृथुः’

• मेघनिर्ह्रादया: with (a voice) like thunder of clouds
• मेघनिर्ह्रादया: करण (Karana/instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ + निर्ह्राद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘वाचा’

• वाचा: with a voice
• वाचा: करण (Karana/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रहसन्: smiling
• प्रहसन्: कर्ता (agent—concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-हस् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘while smiling/laughing’

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/object—what was said)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अब्रवीत्: said; spoke
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया (main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu
• Vena

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how a righteous king should respond to praise?

This verse shows King Pṛthu first discerning the intent behind praise and then responding calmly and thoughtfully—suggesting humility, discernment, and duty-centered leadership rather than vanity.

Why did King Pṛthu speak in a voice compared to thunderclouds?

The comparison emphasizes his majesty and commanding presence as a divinely empowered ruler, while he remains composed and smiling—strength joined with self-control.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Before reacting to compliments or criticism, understand the motive and context; then respond with steadiness—combining confidence with humility and clarity in speech.