Shloka 5

Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इति ब्रुवाणं विदुरं विनीतं सहस्रशीर्ष्णश्चरणोपधानम् । प्रहृष्टरोमा भगवत्कथायां प्रणीयमानो मुनिरभ्यचष्ट ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca iti bruvāṇaṁ viduraṁ vinītaṁ sahasra-śīrṣṇaś caraṇopadhānam prahṛṣṭa-romā bhagavat-kathāyāṁ praṇīyamāno munir abhyacaṣṭa

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī dit : En entendant les paroles humbles de Vidura—sur les genoux duquel le Seigneur aux mille têtes avait posé Ses pieds de lotus—le sage Maitreya frissonna de joie dans la bhagavat-kathā et, inspiré par son élan, se mit à parler.

Synonyms

• श्री-शुकः: Śrī Śuka
• श्री-शुकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + शुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); कर्मधारय (honorific śrī qualifying Śuka)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

• इति: thus
• इति: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-निपात (quotative particle)

• ब्रुवाणम्: speaking
• ब्रुवाणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रुवाण (कृदन्त; √ब्रू धातु, शानच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular); वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि शानच् (speaking)

• विदुरम्: Vidura
• विदुरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular)

• विनीतम्: humble; disciplined
• विनीतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनीत (कृदन्त; √नी धातु, उपसर्ग वि-, भूतकृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular); भूतकृत् (well-trained, humble)

• सहस्र-शीर्ष्णः: of the thousand-headed (Lord)
• सहस्र-शीर्ष्णः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शीर्षन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन (Genitive, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (one whose heads are a thousand)

• चरण-उपधानम्: footstool; support for the feet
• चरण-उपधानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक) + उपधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (caraṇānām upadhānam = footstool)

• प्रहृष्ट-रोमा: with hair standing on end
• प्रहृष्ट-रोमा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रहृष्ट (कृदन्त; √हृष् धातु) + रोमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (one whose hairs are thrilled)

• भगवत्-कथायाम्: in the narration of the Lord
• भगवत्-कथायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/सप्तमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक) + कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन (Locative, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (bhagavataḥ kathā)

• प्रणीयमानः: being led on (in speech)
• प्रणीयमानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रणीयमान (कृदन्त; √नी धातु, उपसर्ग प्र-, कर्मणि शानच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि शानच् (being led/being guided)

• मुनिः: the sage
• मुनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular)

• अभ्यचष्ट: addressed; spoke to
• अभ्यचष्ट: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + √चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular); उपसर्ग अभि-

Purport

The word sahasra-śīrṣṇaḥ is very significant. One who has diverse energies and activities and a wonderful brain is known as the sahasra-śīrṣṇaḥ. This qualification is applicable only to the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and no one else. The Personality of Godhead was pleased to dine sometimes with Vidura at his home, and while resting He placed His lotus feet on the lap of Vidura. Maitreya was inspired by the thought of Vidura’s wonderful fortune. The hairs of his body stood on end, and he was pleased to narrate the topics of the Personality of Godhead with great delight.

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• Maitreya
• Sahasra-śīrṣa Puruṣa (Mahā-Viṣṇu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the power of Bhagavat-katha (hearing about the Lord)?

This verse shows that narrations of the Lord naturally awaken devotional ecstasy—such as hairs standing on end—and draw both speaker and listener deeper into spiritual realization.

Why did Maitreya speak to Vidura in Bhagavatam Canto 3?

Vidura approached in humility and with shelter at the Lord’s feet; therefore the sage Maitreya, pleased and spiritually inspired, continued instructing him through the Lord’s pastimes and truths.

How can a modern reader apply this verse in daily life?

Approach spiritual learning with humility, seek refuge in the Lord’s feet through prayer and practice, and regularly hear or read Bhagavatam; sincere hearing gradually brings steadiness and heartfelt devotion.