Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 21

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणा: साधव: शान्ता नि:सङ्गा भूतवत्सला: । एकान्तभक्ता अस्मासु निर्वैरा: समदर्शिन: ॥ २० ॥ सलोका लोकपालास्तान् वन्दन्त्यर्चन्त्युपासते । अहं च भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयं च हरिरीश्वर: ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇāḥ sādhavaḥ śāntā niḥsaṅgā bhūta-vatsalāḥ ekānta-bhaktā asmāsu nirvairāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

Translation

Ces brāhmaṇas saints sont toujours paisibles, sans attachement, compatissants envers tous les êtres, voués à nous d’une bhakti exclusive, sans haine et dotés d’une vision égale. Les habitants et les demi-dieux gouverneurs de tous les mondes, ainsi que moi, le Seigneur Brahmā et Śrī Hari Lui-même, l’Īśvara—nous les glorifions, les adorons et les servons.

Synonyms

• brāhmaṇāḥ: brāhmaṇas
• brāhmaṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• sādhavaḥ: saints
• sādhavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• śāntāḥ: peaceful
• śāntāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; विशेषण

• niḥsaṅgāḥ: detached
• niḥsaṅgāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥsaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; विशेषण

• bhūta-vatsalāḥ: kind to all beings
• bhūta-vatsalāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक) + vatsala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ‘भूतानां वत्सलः’

• ekānta-bhaktāḥ: exclusive devotees
• ekānta-bhaktāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekānta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘एकान्ते भक्ताḥ’/‘एकान्त-भक्तिः येषाम्’ (sense: exclusive devotees)

• asmāsu: towards/in us
• asmāsu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural; 1st person pronoun

• nirvairāḥ: free from enmity
• nirvairāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirvaira (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; विशेषण

• sama-darśinaḥ: equal-seeing
• sama-darśinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक) + darśin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; समासः—कर्मधारय ‘समं पश्यन्ति’

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What are the qualities of a pure devotee according to Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 12?

This verse lists key qualities: peacefulness, detachment, compassion to all beings, exclusive devotion to the Lord, freedom from enmity, and equal vision.

What does 'ekanta-bhakta' mean in the Bhagavata Purana?

Ekānta-bhakta means a single-minded devotee who worships the Lord exclusively, without competing motives or divided allegiance.

How can I apply 'nirvaira' (non-enmity) and 'samadarshi' (equal vision) in modern life?

Practice seeing others as souls, avoid retaliatory hostility, and respond with compassion and fairness while keeping steady devotion to Krishna.