Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15

Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship

Devanagari script

एवं द्विजाग्र्यानुमतानुवृत्त धर्मप्रधानोऽन्यतमोऽवितास्या: । ह्रस्वेन कालेन गृहोपयातान् द्रष्टासि सिद्धाननुरक्तलोक: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ dvijāgryānumatānuvṛtta- dharma-pradhāno ’nyatamo ’vitāsyāḥ hrasvena kālena gṛhopayātān draṣṭāsi siddhān anurakta-lokaḥ

Translation

Le Seigneur Viṣṇu poursuivit : Ô roi Pṛthu, si tu protèges les citoyens selon les instructions des brāhmaṇas éminents, reçues par la succession discipulaire au moyen de l’écoute, et si tu suis les principes du dharma qu’ils ont établis sans t’attacher aux idées forgées par l’esprit, alors tous tes sujets seront heureux et t’aimeront ; et bientôt tu pourras voir des êtres déjà libérés, tels les quatre Kumāras (Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana et Sanat-kumāra).

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), प्रकारवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• द्विज-अग्र्य-अनुमत-अनुवृत्तः: approved by the foremost brāhmaṇas and acting accordingly
• द्विज-अग्र्य-अनुमत-अनुवृत्तः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुमत (कृदन्त, √मन्/मन्?; here from √मन्/√मन्? in sense 'approve' via अनुमन्) + अनुवृत्त (कृदन्त, √वृत् (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-समासः (determinative): ‘द्विजाग्र्यैः अनुमतः’ (approved by the best of the twice-born) + ‘तदनुवृत्तः’ (following that)

• धर्म-प्रधानः: chiefly devoted to dharma
• धर्म-प्रधानः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘धर्मः प्रधानः यस्य/यत्र’ (predominant in dharma)

• अन्यतमः: one of the best/one among (them)
• अन्यतमः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्यतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (one among others)

• अवितास्याः: of the protector (i.e., of the Lord)
• अवितास्याः: सम्बन्ध (Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवितास्य (प्रातिपदिक; from अवितृ/अविता ‘protector’ + -आस्य?; used as genitive)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• ह्रस्वेन: by a short
• ह्रस्वेन: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ह्रस्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘कालेन’ इत्यस्य

• कालेन: time/period
• कालेन: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण/अधिकरणार्थे (instrumental: within/by time)

• गृह-उपयातान्: those who have come to (your) home
• गृह-उपयातान्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक) + उपयात (कृदन्त, √या (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘गृहं उपयाताः’ (those who have come to the house)

• द्रष्टासि: you will see
• द्रष्टासि: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सिद्धान्: perfected beings (siddhas)
• सिद्धान्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• अनुरक्त-लोकः: with devoted people/attendants
• अनुरक्त-लोकः: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुरक्त (कृदन्त, √रञ्ज् (धातु)) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘अनुरक्तः लोकः’ (a world/people that are devoted)

Purport

Lord Viṣṇu advised King Pṛthu that everyone should follow the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma; then, in whatever capacity one remains within this material world, his salvation is guaranteed after death. In this age, however, since the system of varṇāśrama-dharma is topsy-turvy, it is very difficult to strictly follow all the principles. The only method for becoming perfect in life is to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As varṇāśrama-dharma is executed from different positions by different men, so the Kṛṣṇa consciousness principles can be followed by everyone in every part of the world.

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• Four Kumāras

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about the ideal king’s duty (rāja-dharma)?

This verse praises the king as an avitā (protector) who makes dharma foremost and follows the guidance of foremost brāhmaṇas—showing that righteous protection and humility before saintly counsel define ideal rule.

Why did the Four Kumāras speak this blessing to Pṛthu Mahārāja?

After being honored by Pṛthu, the Kumāras acknowledge his dharma-centered leadership and assure him that soon he will return home and again meet perfected sages—affirming divine support for his righteous reign.

How can I apply “dharma-pradhāna” in modern life?

Make principled conduct your priority, seek guidance from spiritually grounded teachers, and lead your responsibilities as service—then relationships and community naturally become harmonious and supportive.