Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 1

Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint

Devanagari script

श्रीनारद उवाच कल्पस्त्वेवं परिव्रज्य देहमात्रावशेषित: । ग्रामैकरात्रविधिना निरपेक्षश्चरेन्महीम् ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-nārada uvāca kalpas tv evaṁ parivrajya deha-mātrāvaśeṣitaḥ grāmaika-rātra-vidhinā nirapekṣaś caren mahīm

Translation

ശ്രീ നാരദമുനി പറഞ്ഞു—ആത്മജ്ഞാനം വളർത്താൻ കഴിയുന്നവൻ ഇങ്ങനെ സന്ന്യാസം സ്വീകരിച്ച്, ശരീരം നിലനിൽക്കാൻ വേണ്ടത്ര മാത്രം സൂക്ഷിക്കണം. ഓരോ ഗ്രാമത്തിലും ഒരു രാത്രി മാത്രം താമസിക്കുന്ന നിയമപ്രകാരം, ശരീരാവശ്യങ്ങളിൽ ആശ്രയമില്ലാതെ, ഭൂമിയൊട്ടാകെ സഞ്ചരിക്കണം.

Synonyms

• śrī-nāradaḥ: Śrī Nārada
• śrī-nāradaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक) + nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nominative), Ekavacana; honorific karmadhāraya 'glorious Nārada'

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• kalpaḥ: the rule/procedure
• kalpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Anvaya (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Adversative/contrast particle (तु-निपात)

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• parivrajya: having become a wandering renunciant
• parivrajya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pari-√vraj (व्रज्) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समर्थ)

• deha-mātra-avaśeṣitaḥ: left with only the body
• deha-mātra-avaśeṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: deha (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक) + avaśeṣita (कृदन्त; ava-√śiṣ शिष्)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; multi-member tatpuruṣa: 'left with only the body (as remainder)' qualifying implied subject (parivrāṭ)

• grāma-eka-rātra-vidhinā: by the rule of one-night-per-village
• grāma-eka-rātra-vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāma (प्रातिपदिक) + eka (प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental), Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa: 'by the rule of (staying) one night in a village'

• nirapekṣaḥ: without dependence/expectation
• nirapekṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-apekṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; adjective qualifying the renunciant

• caret: should wander
• caret: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √car (चर्)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (Optative), Prathama puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana; Parasmaipada

• mahīm: the earth
• mahīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā (Accusative), Ekavacana

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the lifestyle of a wandering renunciant (parivrājaka)?

This verse says a renunciant should wander freely, keep only what maintains the body, remain independent of others, and stay only one night in a village to avoid attachment.

Why does Nārada Muni advise staying only one night in a village?

To prevent forming new social ties, comforts, and dependence—attachments that can distract a renunciant from single-minded spiritual practice.

Practical application of nirapekṣa (non-dependence) in modern life?

Reduce unnecessary needs, avoid lifestyle inflation, and cultivate inner steadiness so spiritual practice doesn’t rely on constant external comfort, praise, or support.