Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 39

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

सुखमासनमासीनौ प्रसादाभिमुखौ मुनी । पुनरानम्य पादाभ्यां गरिष्ठाविदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

sukham āsanam āsīnau prasādābhimukhau munī punar ānamya pādābhyāṁ gariṣṭhāv idam abravīt

Translation

Ces deux sages, les plus dignes de vénération, étaient assis paisiblement, prêts à accorder leur grâce. Alors le Ṛṣi Mārkaṇḍeya se prosterna de nouveau à leurs pieds de lotus et parla ainsi.

Synonyms

• सुखम्: comfortably
• सुखम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular); क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative: comfortably)

• आसनम्: on the seat
• आसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• आसीनौ: seated (the two)
• आसीनौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्तः (Past participle), पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा द्विवचनम् (Nom. dual m.)

• प्रसाद-अभिमुखौ: facing graciously (with favor)
• प्रसाद-अभिमुखौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसाद (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः; पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), द्विवचनम् (Dual); विशेषणम् (of ‘मुनी’)

• मुनी: the two sages
• मुनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), द्विवचनम् (Dual)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/पुनरावृत्ति-वाचक-अव्यय (adverb: again)

• आनम्य: having bowed
• आनम्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (having bowed)

• पादाभ्याम्: with (their) feet / at the feet (by means of)
• पादाभ्याम्: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), द्विवचनम् (Dual)

• गरिष्ठौ: the two most venerable (ones)
• गरिष्ठौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गरिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; गुरु-तमप्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचनम् (Dual); अतिशय-विशेषणम् (superlative: most venerable)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम् (Singular), परस्मैपदम्

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi
• Bhagavān (Nārāyaṇa/Śrī Hari)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering obeisances at the Lord’s lotus feet?

This verse highlights that even exalted sages approach Bhagavān with reverence—sitting attentively before Him and bowing again at His feet—showing humility as a core element of bhakti.

Why did the elder sage bow again before speaking to the Lord in Canto 12 Chapter 8?

Because in Bhagavata culture, speech offered to Bhagavān is preceded by renewed surrender and respect; the elder sage bows again to seek the Lord’s grace and speak in proper devotional mood.

How can I apply this teaching of humility in modern spiritual practice?

Before prayer, study, or important decisions, pause to cultivate reverence—offer a respectful gesture, remember the Lord, and then speak or act from a calmer, surrendered mindset.