Shloka 48

Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire

Devanagari script

अयजद् यज्ञपुरुषं क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणै: । सर्वदेवमयं देवं सर्ववेदमयं हरिम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

ayajad yajña-puruṣaṁ kratubhir bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ sarva-devamayaṁ devaṁ sarva-vedamayaṁ harim

Translation

राजा ययातीने अनेक यज्ञ केले आणि ब्राह्मणांना विपुल दक्षिणा देऊन यज्ञपुरुष हरि—जो सर्व देवांचा आश्रय व सर्व वेदांचा लक्ष्य आहे—यांची आराधना केली।

Synonyms

• ayajat: he worshipped/sacrificed
• ayajat: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yaj (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• yajña-puruṣam: the Lord of sacrifice (Yajña-Puruṣa)
• yajña-puruṣam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative); पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• kratubhiḥ: with rites/sacrifices
• kratubhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kratu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ: with abundant sacrificial gifts
• bhūri-dakṣiṇaiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūri (प्रातिपदिक) + dakṣiṇā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; (बहु-दक्षिणा = having abundant fees/gifts); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); विशेषण of ‘kratubhiḥ’

• sarva-devamayam: consisting of all the gods
• sarva-devamayam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + deva (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of ‘devam/harim’

• devam: the God
• devam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• sarva-vedamayam: consisting of all the Vedas
• sarva-vedamayam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + veda (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषण of ‘harim’

• harim: Hari (Vishnu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Yajña-puruṣa
• Hari

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Yajña-puruṣa (the Lord of sacrifice)?

This verse states that the ultimate recipient and indwelling reality of sacrifice is the Supreme Lord Himself—Yajña-puruṣa—who is Hari.

Why is Hari described as 'sarva-deva-maya' (containing all demigods) in this verse?

Because all devas derive their powers from the Supreme Lord; worship offered to Him reaches the root of all divine administrations.

Practical application of performing sacrifice with 'bhūri-dakṣiṇā' (abundant charity) in modern life?

Offer your work and resources to God-centered purposes and give generously in charity; the spirit of sacrifice and giving purifies intention and strengthens devotion.