Shloka 3

Prāyaścitta, the ‘Elephant Bath’ Problem, and the Opening of Ajāmila-Upākhyāna

Devanagari script

अधर्मलक्षणा नाना नरकाश्चानुवर्णिता: । मन्वन्तरश्च व्याख्यात आद्य: स्वायम्भुवो यत: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

adharma-lakṣaṇā nānā narakāś cānuvarṇitāḥ manvantaraś ca vyākhyāta ādyaḥ svāyambhuvo yataḥ

Translation

Tu as aussi décrit les diverses existences infernales issues des actes impies (adharma), et tu as expliqué le premier manvantara, présidé par Svāyambhuva Manu, fils de Brahmā.

Synonyms

• adharma-lakṣaṇāḥ: characterized by irreligion
• adharma-lakṣaṇāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adharma + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); adjective to narakāḥ; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: अधर्मस्य लक्षणम् येषाम्

• nānā: various
• nānā: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), indeclinable adjective/adverb meaning ‘various’ (नानार्थक)

• narakāḥ: hells
• narakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• anuvarṇitāḥ: were described in detail
• anuvarṇitāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anuvarṇita (कृदन्त; √varṇ (धातु))
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन); agrees with narakāḥ

• manvantaraḥ: the Manvantara
• manvantaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manvantara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• vyākhyātaḥ: was explained
• vyākhyātaḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vyākhyāta (कृदन्त; √khyā/√khyai (धातु))
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with manvantaraḥ

• ādyaḥ: the first
• ādyaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); adjective to (manvantaraḥ)

• svāyambhuvaḥ: Svāyambhuva
• svāyambhuvaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svāyambhuva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); epithet of Manu (Svāyambhuva)

• yataḥ: from which; because
• yataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yataḥ (अव्यय/यद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), causal/relative adverb ‘from which/wherefrom; because’ (यतः)

Characters & Entities

• Svāyambhuva Manu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the symptoms of adharma (irreligion)?

This verse states that the Bhagavatam has already described the various signs of adharma, indicating that irreligion can be recognized by clear, definable characteristics and consequences.

Why is Svāyambhuva Manu mentioned here in Canto 6, Chapter 1?

Śukadeva reminds Parīkṣit that the Bhagavatam has systematically covered cosmic history, including Manvantaras starting from Svāyambhuva Manu—framing the current discussion within the Purana’s broader moral and cosmological teachings.

How can knowledge of naraka and adharma be applied in modern life?

By reflecting on the consequences of adharma and the reality of moral accountability, one becomes more careful in choices, strengthens dharmic conduct, and turns toward bhakti as the safest path beyond fear and suffering.