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Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 26

Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire

वृषपर्वा तमाज्ञाय प्रत्यनीकविवक्षितम् । गुरुं प्रसादयन् मूर्ध्ना पादयो: पतित: पथि ॥ २६ ॥

vṛṣaparvā tam ājñāya pratyanīka-vivakṣitam guruṁ prasādayan mūrdhnā pādayoḥ patitaḥ pathi

Le roi Vṛṣaparvā comprit que Śukrācārya venait pour le châtier ou le maudire. Aussi, avant que Śukrācārya n’arrive chez lui, il sortit sur la route, se jeta la tête aux pieds de son guru et, apaisant sa colère, le rendit satisfait.

vṛṣaparvāVṛṣaparvā
vṛṣaparvā:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvṛṣaparvan (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1), Singular
tamhim/that (matter)
tam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2), Singular
ājñāyahaving learned
ājñāya:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√jñā (ज्ञा) (धातु) with ā-
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय) ‘having known/understood’
pratyanīka-vivakṣitamintended as a retort
pratyanīka-vivakṣitam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootprati-anīka (प्रातिपदिक) + vivakṣita (कृदन्त; √vac वच्, desiderative sense ‘intended to say’, kta)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2), Singular; adjective qualifying an implied ‘word/message’: ‘intended as a counter-speech/retort’
gurumthe teacher
gurum:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootguru (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2), Singular
prasādayanpropitiating
prasādayan:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeVerb
Rootprasādayant (कृदन्त; √sad सद् with pra-, causative)
FormPresent participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular; ‘propitiating/pleasing’
mūrdhnāwith (his) head
mūrdhnā:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootmūrdhan (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Instrumental (3), Singular
pādayoḥat the feet (of)
pādayoḥ:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootpāda (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Locative/Genitive (7/6), Dual (द्विवचन); here with ‘patitaḥ’ = locative dual ‘at the feet’
patitaḥfallen (prostrate)
patitaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootpatita (कृदन्त; √pat पत्, क्त)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1), Singular; past participle; agrees with ‘vṛṣaparvā’
pathion the road
pathi:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootpathin (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Locative (7), Singular
V
Vṛṣaparvā

FAQs

This verse shows Vṛṣaparvā pacifying his superior by bowing down and falling at his feet, illustrating that humility and sincere repentance are dharmic ways to resolve grave conflict.

He understood that retaliation was imminent—his son-in-law had arrived with an opposing force—so he tried to avert disaster by surrendering his pride and begging pardon.

When tensions escalate, de-escalate through humility—acknowledge fault, approach respected elders or authorities sincerely, and prioritize reconciliation over ego.