Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 19

Parīkṣit’s Comprehensive Inquiries and the Bhāgavata as Śabda-avatāra

Devanagari script

तत्त्वानां परिसंख्यानं लक्षणं हेतुलक्षणम् । पुरुषाराधनविधिर्योगस्याध्यात्मिकस्य च ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

tattvānāṁ parisaṅkhyānaṁ lakṣaṇaṁ hetu-lakṣaṇam puruṣārādhana-vidhir yogasyādhyātmikasya ca

Translation

Explique-moi les tattva de la création : leur nombre, leurs traits, leurs causes et signes causaux, et leur déploiement; et aussi la méthode d’adoration du Puruṣa (le Seigneur) et la voie du yoga spirituel.

Synonyms

• तत्त्वानाम्: of the principles (tattvas)
• तत्त्वानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन

• परिसंख्यानम्: enumeration; counting
• परिसंख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परि-सम्-ख्या (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन (कृत्-प्रत्यय; भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन; भाववाचक कृत् (act of enumeration)

• लक्षणम्: characteristic; definition
• लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• हेतु-लक्षणम्: the characteristic of the cause
• हेतु-लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेतु (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हेतोः लक्षणम्)

• पुरुष-आराधन-विधिः: the method of worship of the Supreme Person
• पुरुष-आराधन-विधिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + आराधन (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पुरुषस्य आराधनस्य विधिः)

• योगस्य: of yoga
• योगस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन

• अध्यात्मिकस्य: spiritual; pertaining to the self
• अध्यात्मिकस्य: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अध्यात्मिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन; विशेषण (योगस्य)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about tattva (fundamental truths) and their analysis?

This verse states that the Bhāgavatam teaches a systematic enumeration of tattvas along with their defining symptoms and the symptoms of their causes—helping the seeker understand reality in an ordered, knowable way.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī say this to King Parīkṣit?

In Canto 2, Śukadeva is outlining the scope of Bhāgavatam’s teachings for Parīkṣit—showing that it includes both philosophical understanding (tattva and causation) and practical spiritual practice (worship of the Supreme Person and adhyātmika yoga).

How can I apply ‘puruṣa-ārādhana’ and adhyātmika yoga in modern life?

Combine clear understanding of life’s principles with daily devotion: set time for hearing/reading Bhāgavatam, offer your work and food to the Lord, and practice inner discipline (mindfulness, sense-control, remembrance of Bhagavān) as a spiritual yoga.