Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 14

Nārada’s Protection of Kayādhu and Prahlāda’s Womb-Instructions: Ātma-tattva and the Path of Bhakti

Devanagari script

ऋषिं पर्यचरत्तत्र भक्त्या परमया सती । अन्तर्वत्नी स्वगर्भस्य क्षेमायेच्छाप्रसूतये ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

ṛṣiṁ paryacarat tatra bhaktyā paramayā satī antarvatnī sva-garbhasya kṣemāyecchā-prasūtaye

Translation

Ma mère, enceinte, désirait la sécurité de l’enfant à naître et souhaitait accoucher après l’arrivée de son époux; ainsi demeura-t-elle à l’āśrama de Nārada Muni, le servant avec une bhakti suprême.

Synonyms

• ऋषिम्: the sage
• ऋषिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• पर्यचरत्: served/attended
• पर्यचरत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु) + परि- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb)

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• परमया: supreme
• परमया: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परमा (प्रातिपदिक; परम्-तमा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying भक्त्या)

• सती: the chaste lady
• सती: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• अन्तर्वत्नी: pregnant
• अन्तर्वत्नी: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर्वत्नी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying सती)

• स्वगर्भस्य: of her own embryo
• स्वगर्भस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; स्व-गर्भ = ‘one’s own womb/embryo’

• क्षेमाय: for welfare/safety
• क्षेमाय: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Beneficiary)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative), एकवचन

• इच्छा-प्रसूतये: for the desired delivery
• इच्छा-प्रसूतये: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Beneficiary)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा + प्रसूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative), एकवचन; इच्छाप्रसूति = ‘desired birth/delivery’

Purport

It is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (9.19.17)

Characters & Entities

• Kayādhu
• Nārada Muni
• Prahlāda (in the womb)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving a sage (ṛṣi-sevā)?

This verse shows that sincere service to a realized sage, done with supreme devotion, brings spiritual and practical welfare—here, protection and auspiciousness for the unborn child.

Why did Kayādhu serve Nārada Muni while she was pregnant?

While sheltered in Nārada’s āśrama, Kayādhu served him with deep bhakti, seeking the well-being of the child in her womb (Prahlāda) and a safe delivery.

Practical application of bhakti and seva from this verse in modern life?

Keep saintly association, serve devotees sincerely, and cultivate devotion especially during sensitive life phases; such practice strengthens character, peace, and protective spiritual consciousness in the home.