Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

एक एव चरेद्भ‍िक्षुरात्मारामोऽनपाश्रय: । सर्वभूतसुहृच्छान्तो नारायणपरायण: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

eka eva cared bhikṣur ātmārāmo ’napāśrayaḥ sarva-bhūta-suhṛc-chānto nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇaḥ

Translation

ഭിക്ഷുസന്ന്യാസി ഒറ്റയ്ക്കു സഞ്ചരിക്കണം; ആത്മാവിൽ തന്നെ തൃപ്തനായി ആരെയോ സ്ഥലത്തെയോ ആശ്രയിക്കരുത്. സർവ്വഭൂതങ്ങളോടും സുഹൃദ്ഭാവമുള്ളവനും ശാന്തനും നാരായണപരായണനായ നിർമലഭക്തനുമായി വീടുവീടായി ഭിക്ഷയാൽ ജീവിക്കണം।

Synonyms

• एकः: alone, single
• एकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• एव: indeed, only
• एव: Avadharana (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्ययम् (emphatic/only)

• चरेत्: should wander
• चरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातुः चर्—गत्यर्थे

• भिक्षुः: mendicant
• भिक्षुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचनम्

• आत्म-आरामः: self-satisfied, rejoicing in the Self
• आत्म-आरामः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘delighting in the self’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• अनपाश्रयः: without dependence/support
• अनपाश्रयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन-अपाश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-समास/नकार-पूर्वक-प्रातिपदिक; पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• सर्व-भूत-सुहृत्-शान्तः: peaceful, friend of all beings
• सर्व-भूत-सुहृत्-शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + सुहृत् (प्रातिपदिक) + शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिः (‘one who is peaceful and a friend of all beings’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नारायण-परायणः: devoted to Nārāyaṇa, taking refuge in Nārāyaṇa
• नारायण-परायणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘having Nārāyaṇa as the supreme resort’); पुल्लिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Nārāyaṇa

FAQs

What are the qualities of a true renunciant (bhikshu) in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 7 Chapter 13?

This verse says a true bhikshu wanders alone, is ātmārāma (self-satisfied), depends on no one, is peaceful, is a friend of all beings, and is exclusively devoted to Nārāyaṇa.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize being 'Nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa'?

Because renunciation becomes pure and safe when the heart has a single refuge—exclusive devotion to the Supreme Lord—rather than dependence on people, possessions, or ego.

How can 'sarva-bhūta-suhṛt' (well-wisher of all beings) be practiced in modern life?

Cultivate non-harming, speak truthfully and kindly, avoid envy, and consciously act for others’ welfare while keeping devotion to God as the center.