Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 2

Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)

Devanagari script

दशमस्य विशुद्ध्यर्थं नवानामिह लक्षणम् । वर्णयन्ति महात्मान: श्रुतेनार्थेन चाञ्जसा ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

daśamasya viśuddhy-arthaṁ navānām iha lakṣaṇam varṇayanti mahātmānaḥ śrutenārthena cāñjasā

Translation

ദശമമായ ആശ്രയ-തത്ത്വത്തിന്റെ വിശുദ്ധി വ്യക്തമാക്കാൻ, ശേഷമുള്ള ഒമ്പത് ലക്ഷണങ്ങളെ മഹാത്മാക്കൾ ചിലപ്പോൾ ശ്രുതി-ആധാരത്തിൽ, ചിലപ്പോൾ അർത്ഥവ്യാഖ്യാനത്തിൽ, ചിലപ്പോൾ സംക്ഷേപമായി ലളിതമായി വിവരിക്കുന്നു।

Synonyms

• दशमस्य: of the tenth (topic)
• दशमस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; (दशमस्य—‘of the tenth’)

• विशुद्धि-अर्थम्: for the clarification (purification)
• विशुद्धि-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विशुद्धेः अर्थम् = for the purification/clarification)

• नवानाम्: of the nine
• नवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; (of the nine)

• इह: here
• इह: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• लक्षणम्: characteristics/definition
• लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अत्र कर्मरूपेण (object)

• वर्णयन्ति: describe
• वर्णयन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्णय् (धातु; √वर्ण् caus.)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• महात्मानः: great souls
• महात्मानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान् आत्मा यस्य)

• श्रुतेन: by scripture/hearing (Veda)
• श्रुतेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रुति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• अर्थेन: by meaning/reasoning
• अर्थेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• अञ्जसा: clearly/straightforwardly
• अञ्जसा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अञ्जसा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the ten topics (daśa-lakṣaṇa)?

This verse states that saintly teachers define the first nine topics so that the tenth topic—the supreme shelter (Āśraya, the Lord)—can be understood clearly, in line with scripture and its true meaning.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī explain the nine topics before the tenth?

Because the tenth is the culmination; by learning the characteristics of the other nine, a listener’s understanding becomes precise, making the ultimate subject—the Lord as the final shelter—easy to grasp.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Study spiritual teachings in a structured way: learn foundational principles first, guided by authentic scripture and sound meaning, so your devotion and understanding of God become clear and steady.