Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

स्तावकांस्तानभिप्रेत्य पृथुर्वैन्य: प्रतापवान् । मेघनिर्ह्रादया वाचा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

stāvakāṁs tān abhipretya pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān megha-nirhrādayā vācā prahasann idam abravīt

Translation

ആ സ്തുതികാരരെ കണ്ട മഹാപ്രതാപിയായ വേനപുത്രൻ രാജാവ് പൃഥു അവരെ അഭിനന്ദിക്കാനായി പുഞ്ചിരിച്ചു; മേഘഗർജ്ജനത്തെപ്പോലെ ഗൗരവമുള്ള വാണിയിൽ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു.

Synonyms

• स्तावकान्: praisers; eulogists
• स्तावकान्: कर्म (Karma/object—those addressed)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तावक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• तान्: those
• तान्: कर्म (Karma/object—apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अभिप्रेत्य: having considered; having understood
• अभिप्रेत्य: पूर्वकाल (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-प्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having understood/considered’

• पृथुः: Pṛthu
• पृथुः: कर्ता (Karta/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वैन्यः: son of Vena
• वैन्यः: कर्ता (Karta/subject—appositive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण/उपनाम (patronymic) of ‘पृथुः’

• प्रतापवान्: mighty; valorous
• प्रतापवान्: कर्ता (Karta/subject—appositive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रतापवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘पृथुः’

• मेघनिर्ह्रादया: with (a voice) like thunder of clouds
• मेघनिर्ह्रादया: करण (Karana/instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ + निर्ह्राद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण of ‘वाचा’

• वाचा: with a voice
• वाचा: करण (Karana/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रहसन्: smiling
• प्रहसन्: कर्ता (agent—concomitant action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-हस् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘while smiling/laughing’

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/object—what was said)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अब्रवीत्: said; spoke
• अब्रवीत्: क्रिया (main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu
• Vena

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how a righteous king should respond to praise?

This verse shows King Pṛthu first discerning the intent behind praise and then responding calmly and thoughtfully—suggesting humility, discernment, and duty-centered leadership rather than vanity.

Why did King Pṛthu speak in a voice compared to thunderclouds?

The comparison emphasizes his majesty and commanding presence as a divinely empowered ruler, while he remains composed and smiling—strength joined with self-control.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Before reacting to compliments or criticism, understand the motive and context; then respond with steadiness—combining confidence with humility and clarity in speech.