Shloka 17

Kriyā-yoga, the Virāṭ-Puruṣa Mapping, and the Sun-God’s Monthly Expansions

Devanagari script

मण्डलं देवयजनं दीक्षा संस्कार आत्मन: । परिचर्या भगवत आत्मनो दुरितक्षय: ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

maṇḍalaṁ deva-yajanaṁ dīkṣā saṁskāra ātmanaḥ paricaryā bhagavata ātmano durita-kṣayaḥ

Translation

സൂര്യമണ്ഡലം പരമേശ്വരനെ ആരാധിക്കുന്ന സ്ഥാനമാണ്; ദീക്ഷ ആത്മാവിന്റെ ശുദ്ധിസംസ്കാരമാണ്; ഭഗവാനെ ഭക്തിസേവ ചെയ്യുന്നതാണ് എല്ലാ പാപപ്രതിക്രിയകളും ക്ഷയിപ്പിക്കുന്ന പ്രക്രിയ.

Synonyms

• मण्डलम्: (the) maṇḍala (ritual circle)
• मण्डलम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• देवयजनम्: worship of the gods
• देवयजनम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘worship/sacrifice to the gods’

• दीक्षा: initiation
• दीक्षा: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• संस्कारः: purificatory rite/sacrament
• संस्कारः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of the self
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• परिचर्या: service/attendance
• परिचर्या: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिचर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भगवत्: of the Lord
• भगवत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive) एकवचन (वैदिक/प्रयोगानुसारं रूपम्); ‘of the Lord’

• आत्मनः: of the self
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• दुरितक्षयः: destruction of sin
• दुरितक्षयः: Karta (कर्ता/फल-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुरित + क्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘destruction of sin’

Purport

One should meditate on the fiery sun globe as a place where God is worshiped. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all effulgence, and thus it is fitting that He be properly worshiped on the glowing sun.

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how sins are destroyed through worship?

This verse states that worship practices—such as establishing a sacred maṇḍala, performing devotion-centered worship, receiving dīkṣā, observing purificatory saṁskāras, and serving Bhagavān—lead to dūrīta-kṣaya, the destruction of sinful reactions.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe dīkṣā and saṁskāra along with paricaryā (service)?

In the Bhagavatam’s devotional framework, external rites are meant to support inner devotion; Śukadeva links initiation and refinement of life with ongoing service to Bhagavān, emphasizing that sincere bhakti is the purifying core.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life as a devotee?

Keep a clean sacred space for worship, follow a disciplined devotional routine, seek authentic initiation/training when appropriate, live with purifying habits, and make daily service to Bhagavān the center—these practices steadily cleanse harmful tendencies and past reactions.