Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 48

Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship

Devanagari script

लब्ध्वानुग्रह आचार्यात् तेन सन्दर्शितागम: । महापुरुषमभ्यर्चेन्मूर्त्याभिमतयात्मन: ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

labdhvānugraha ācāryāt tena sandarśitāgamaḥ mahā-puruṣam abhyarcen mūrtyābhimatayātmanaḥ

Translation

霊的師の慈悲を得て、師より聖典の規定を示されたなら、献身者は自らが最も慕う主の人格的御姿において、至高の人格神を礼拝すべきである。

Synonyms

• labdhvā: having obtained
• labdhvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √labh (लभ्) (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having obtained’

• anugraham: grace; favor
• anugraham: Karma (कर्म/Object of labdhvā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anugraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• ācāryāt: from the teacher
• ācāryāt: Apādāna (अपादान/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ācārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• tena: by him; thereby
• tena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; ‘by him/thereby’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• sandarśita-āgamaḥ: one to whom the scripture/tradition has been shown
• sandarśita-āgamaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sandarśita-āgama (प्रातिपदिक; सन्दर्शित + आगम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (yasya āgamaḥ sandarśitaḥ)

• mahā-puruṣam: the Great Person (Supreme Lord)
• mahā-puruṣam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā-puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पुरुष)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (mahān saḥ puruṣaḥ)

• abhyarcet: should worship
• abhyarcet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√arc (अर्च्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• mūrtyā: with a form; through an icon/form
• mūrtyā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• abhimatayā: desired; chosen
• abhimatayā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhimata (प्रातिपदिक; √man (मन्) with abhi-, PPP sense ‘approved/desired’)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण (agreeing with mūrtyā)

• ātmanaḥ: of oneself
• ātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

Purport

According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the word labdhvānugrahaḥ indicates formal initiation by a bona fide spiritual master. It is stated in the Padma Purāṇa:

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava
• Ācārya (spiritual master)
• Mahāpuruṣa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about receiving knowledge through the guru?

This verse teaches that real understanding of āgama (revealed scripture) comes by the guru’s mercy; guided by the ācārya, one learns the authorized path and then worships the Lord properly.

Why does Krishna emphasize worshiping the Lord in a Deity form that is pleasing to one’s heart?

Kṛṣṇa indicates that devotion becomes steady and affectionate when the devotee serves the Mahāpuruṣa in a form (mūrti) that naturally inspires love, while remaining grounded in the guru-shown scriptural conclusions.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam verse in modern life if I’m beginning devotional practice?

Seek guidance from a bona fide teacher, study the scriptures under that guidance, and adopt a consistent form of worship—such as daily prayer and simple Deity/altar service—to the Lord in a form that deepens your personal devotion.