Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 76

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

Devanagari script

पञ्चमे मास्यनुप्राप्ते जितश्वासो नृपात्मज: । ध्यायन् ब्रह्म पदैकेन तस्थौ स्थाणुरिवाचल: ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

pañcame māsy anuprāpte jita-śvāso nṛpātmajaḥ dhyāyan brahma padaikena tasthau sthāṇur ivācalaḥ

Translation

Au cinquième mois, Dhruva, fils du roi, maîtrisa parfaitement le souffle. Debout sur une seule jambe, immobile comme un pilier, il concentra son esprit sur le Parabrahman.

Synonyms

• पञ्चमे: in the fifth
• पञ्चमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; ordinal with 'मासि'

• मासि: month
• मासि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अनुप्राप्ते: having arrived
• अनुप्राप्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√प्राप् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; locative absolute with 'मासि' = 'when the month had arrived'

• जित-श्वासः: breath-controlled
• जित-श्वासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि) + श्वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नृप-आत्मजः: the king’s son
• नृप-आत्मजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (नृपस्य आत्मजः = king's son); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ध्यायन्: meditating
• ध्यायन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्रह्म: Brahman/the Absolute
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पद-एकेन: with one foot
• पद-एकेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक) + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (एकं पदम् = one foot/one step); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• तस्थौ: he stood
• तस्थौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• स्थाणुः: a stump/pillar
• स्थाणुः: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थाणु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• अचलः: immovable
• अचलः: Upamana (उपमान/description)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अचल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; predicate adjective with implied 'इव' comparison

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about controlling the breath (prāṇāyāma) in meditation?

This verse describes Dhruva as jita-śvāsa—having conquered the breath—showing that steadiness of prāṇa supports unwavering absorption in meditation on the Supreme.

Why did Dhruva Mahārāja stand on one foot during his austerities?

Dhruva intensified his tapasya to fix the mind completely on the Absolute; standing on one foot symbolizes extreme steadiness and determination, becoming motionless like a pillar.

How can a modern devotee apply Dhruva’s example of steady meditation?

Practice consistent daily sādhana—regulated breathing, focused japa, and distraction-free meditation—cultivating firmness and patience over time rather than seeking quick results.