Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship

Devanagari script

शिशिरस्‍निग्धताराक्ष: समैक्षत समन्तत: । ऊचिवानिदमुर्वीश: सद: संहर्षयन्निव ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

śiśira-snigdha-tārākṣaḥ samaikṣata samantataḥ ūcivān idam urvīśaḥ sadaḥ saṁharṣayann iva

Translation

Afin d’encourager l’assemblée et d’accroître sa joie, le roi Pṛthu promena son regard tout autour; ses yeux brillaient comme des étoiles dans un ciel mouillé de rosée. Puis il leur parla d’une voix puissante et grave.

Synonyms

• śiśira-snigdha-tāra-akṣaḥ: whose eyes were cool, gentle, and bright
• śiśira-snigdha-tāra-akṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiśira (प्रातिपदिक) + snigdha (प्रातिपदिक) + tāra (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; बहुव्रीहि—यस्य अक्षिणी (नेत्रे) शिशिर-स्निग्ध-तारे (शीतल-कोमल-दीप्ते) सः

• samaikṣata: he looked (around) evenly
• samaikṣata: Kriyā (क्रिया/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ-lakāra (Imperfect/Past/लङ्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd/प्रथमपुरुष) Ekavacana; parasmaipada; उपसर्गः sam-

• samantataḥ: on all sides
• samantataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय

• ūcivān: having spoken; he spoke
• ūcivān: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta—Perfect active participle (लिट्-कृदन्त/क्तवतु-प्राय), Puṁliṅga Prathamā Ekavacana; ‘उक्तवान्/ऊचिवान्’

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā (Accusative/द्वितीया) Ekavacana; सर्वनाम

• urvīśaḥ: the lord of the earth (king)
• urvīśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: urvīśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā Ekavacana; ‘पृथिवी-ईशः’ (राजा)

• sadaḥ: the assembly
• sadaḥ: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sadas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Dvitīyā Ekavacana; ‘सभाम्/परिषदं’

• saṁharṣayan: delighting, gladdening
• saṁharṣayan: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-hṛṣ (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/वर्तमानकृदन्त), Puṁliṅga Prathamā Ekavacana; ‘संहर्षयन्’ = हर्षं जनयन्

• iva: as if
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison/उपमावाचक अव्यय

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of an ideal king like Pṛthu Mahārāja?

This verse highlights a king’s calm, affectionate demeanor and equal vision—he looks upon all sides without bias and uplifts the people through inspired, dharmic speech.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Pṛthu Mahārāja’s eyes and glance before his speech?

To show his inner purity and benevolent authority: his soothing, gentle gaze sets the tone of compassion and steadiness, making the assembly receptive to his forthcoming instructions.

Practical application of Pṛthu Mahārāja’s leadership mood in modern life?

Lead with calm presence, impartial attention, and words that elevate others—communication grounded in goodwill can unite and energize a community or team.