Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 2

Nārada Instructs the Pracetās: Bhakti as the Goal of All Paths

Devanagari script

दीक्षिता ब्रह्मसत्रेण सर्वभूतात्ममेधसा । प्रतीच्यां दिशि वेलायां सिद्धोऽभूद्यत्र जाजलि: ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

dīkṣitā brahma-satreṇa sarva-bhūtātma-medhasā pratīcyāṁ diśi velāyāṁ siddho ’bhūd yatra jājaliḥ

Translation

Ayant reçu la dīkṣā du brahma-satra et possédant l’intelligence qui voit l’Âtman en tous les êtres, les Pracetās se rendirent sur le rivage de la mer à l’ouest, où demeurait le sage libéré Jājali. En parachevant cette connaissance d’égale vision, ils devinrent parfaits dans la conscience de Kṛṣṇa.

Synonyms

• dīkṣitāḥ: initiated, consecrated
• dīkṣitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīkṣita (√dīkṣ + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle used adjectivally)

• brahma-satreṇa: by the Brahma-satra (sacrificial session)
• brahma-satreṇa: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + satra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘by the Brahma-satra’)

• sarva-bhūta-ātma-medhasā: with all-beings-as-self wisdom
• sarva-bhūta-ātma-medhasā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + medhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (‘with intelligence whose self is all beings’ / ‘all-beings-self intelligence’)

• pratīcyām: in the western
• pratīcyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratīcī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; दिक्-विशेषण

• diśi: direction
• diśi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: diś (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• velāyām: on the shore/coast
• velāyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: velā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

• siddhaḥ: perfected, accomplished
• siddhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siddha (√sidh + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• abhūt: was/became
• abhūt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू/सत्तायाम् धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Relative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (relative adverb)

• jājaliḥ: Jājali
• jājaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jājali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम (proper name)

Purport

The word brahma-satra means “cultivation of spiritual knowledge.” Actually, both the Vedas and severe austerity are known as brahma ( vedas tattvaṁ tapo brahma ) . Brahma also means “the Absolute Truth.” One has to cultivate knowledge of the Absolute Truth by pursuing studies in the Vedas and undergoing severe austerities and penances. The Pracetās properly executed this function and consequently became equal to all other living entities. As Bhagavad-gītā (18.54) confirms:

Characters & Entities

• Jājali

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about seeing the Paramatma in all living beings?

This verse praises sarva-bhūtātma-medhasā—intelligence that perceives the Self within all beings—indicating that such God-centered vision supports true purification and spiritual perfection.

Who is Jājali in the Bhagavatam and what is his significance?

Jājali is mentioned here as a sage who attained siddhi (spiritual perfection) at the seashore in the western direction, serving as an example of successful realization through consecrated spiritual practice.

How can a modern devotee apply the teaching of this shloka in daily life?

Cultivate respect and compassion by training the mind to see the Lord’s presence in every being, and follow steady spiritual disciplines (sādhana) with sincerity and purity of purpose.