Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 38

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

तयोरासनमादाय पादयोरवनिज्य च । अर्हणेनानुलेपेन धूपमाल्यैरपूजयत् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

tayor āsanam ādāya pādayor avanijya ca arhaṇenānulepena dhūpa-mālyair apūjayat

Translation

അവൻ അവർക്കു ഇരിപ്പിടങ്ങൾ നൽകി അവരുടെ പാദങ്ങൾ കഴുകി. പിന്നെ അർഘ്യം, ചന്ദനലേപനം, സുഗന്ധതൈലം, ധൂപം, പുഷ്പമാലകൾ എന്നിവകൊണ്ട് അവരെ പൂജിച്ചു.

Synonyms

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः (Genitive/6th), द्विवचनम् (Dual)

• आसनम्: a seat
• आसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (having taken)

• पादयोः: at/on (their) feet
• पादयोः: Adhikarana (अधिकरणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/7th), द्विवचनम् (Dual)

• अवनिज्य: having washed
• अवनिज्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-नीज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (having washed)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चयः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अर्हणेन: with worship/offerings
• अर्हणेन: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्हण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• अनुलेपेन: with unguent/paste
• अनुलेपेन: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुलेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• धूप-माल्यैः: with incense and garlands
• धूप-माल्यैः: Karana (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक) + माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समासः; नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचनम् (Plural)

• अपূजयत्: worshipped
• अपূजयत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम् (Singular), परस्मैपदम्

Characters & Entities

• Two visiting guests (tayor)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring guests and saints?

This verse describes ideal atithi-satkāra: offering a seat, washing the feet, and worshiping with appropriate items like sandal paste, incense, and garlands—treating saintly visitors with reverence.

Why is washing the feet mentioned in Bhagavatam hospitality?

Washing the feet is a traditional sign of humility and respect, acknowledging the spiritual dignity of the guests and expressing service-minded devotion rather than mere social courtesy.

How can I apply this shloka’s teaching in modern life?

Receive guests—especially elders, teachers, and devotees—with sincerity: offer a proper place to sit, speak respectfully, and serve in practical ways (water, food, cleanliness), cultivating humility and gratitude.