Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 3

Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint

Devanagari script

एक एव चरेद्भ‍िक्षुरात्मारामोऽनपाश्रय: । सर्वभूतसुहृच्छान्तो नारायणपरायण: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

eka eva cared bhikṣur ātmārāmo ’napāśrayaḥ sarva-bhūta-suhṛc-chānto nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation

Le sannyāsī mendiant doit cheminer seul, comblé dans le Soi et sans dépendre d’aucune personne ni d’aucun lieu. Ami bienveillant de tous les êtres, paisible et dévot pur, il doit être entièrement voué à Nārāyaṇa et vivre d’aumônes de porte en porte.

Synonyms

• एकः: alone, single
• एकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• एव: indeed, only
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्ययम् (emphatic/only)

• चरेत्: should wander
• चरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातुः चर्—गत्यर्थे

• भिक्षुः: mendicant
• भिक्षुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचनम्

• आत्म-आरामः: self-satisfied, rejoicing in the Self
• आत्म-आरामः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘delighting in the self’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अनपाश्रयः: without dependence/support
• अनपाश्रयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन-अपाश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-समास/नकार-पूर्वक-प्रातिपदिक; पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• सर्व-भूत-सुहृत्-शान्तः: peaceful, friend of all beings
• सर्व-भूत-सुहृत्-शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + सुहृत् (प्रातिपदिक) + शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिः (‘one who is peaceful and a friend of all beings’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नारायण-परायणः: devoted to Nārāyaṇa, taking refuge in Nārāyaṇa
• नारायण-परायणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘having Nārāyaṇa as the supreme resort’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Nārāyaṇa

FAQs

What are the qualities of a true renunciant (bhikshu) in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 7 Chapter 13?

This verse says a true bhikshu wanders alone, is ātmārāma (self-satisfied), depends on no one, is peaceful, is a friend of all beings, and is exclusively devoted to Nārāyaṇa.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize being 'Nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa'?

Because renunciation becomes pure and safe when the heart has a single refuge—exclusive devotion to the Supreme Lord—rather than dependence on people, possessions, or ego.

How can 'sarva-bhūta-suhṛt' (well-wisher of all beings) be practiced in modern life?

Cultivate non-harming, speak truthfully and kindly, avoid envy, and consciously act for others’ welfare while keeping devotion to God as the center.