Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 28

Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच एवमनुशास्यात्मजान् स्वयमनुशिष्टानपि लोकानुशासनार्थं महानुभाव: परमसुहृद्भगवानृषभापदेश उपशमशीलानामुपरतकर्मणां महामुनीनां भक्तिज्ञानवैराग्यलक्षणं पारमहंस्यधर्ममुपशिक्षमाण: स्वतनयशतज्येष्ठं परमभागवतं भगवज्जनपरायणं भरतं धरणिपालनायाभिषिच्य स्वयं भवन एवोर्वरितशरीरमात्रपरिग्रह उन्मत्त इव गगनपरिधान: प्रकीर्णकेश आत्मन्यारोपिताहवनीयो ब्रह्मावर्तात्प्रवव्राज ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca evam anuśāsyātmajān svayam anuśiṣṭān api lokānuśāsanārthaṁ mahānubhāvaḥ parama-suhṛd bhagavān ṛṣabhāpadeśa upaśama-śīlānām uparata-karmaṇāṁ mahā-munīnāṁ bhakti-jñāna-vairāgya-lakṣaṇaṁ pāramahaṁsya-dharmam upaśikṣamāṇaḥ sva-tanaya-śata-jyeṣṭhaṁ parama-bhāgavataṁ bhagavaj-jana-parāyaṇaṁ bharataṁ dharaṇi-pālanāyābhiṣicya svayaṁ bhavana evorvarita-śarīra-mātra-parigraha unmatta iva gagana-paridhānaḥ prakīrṇa-keśa ātmany āropitāhavanīyo brahmāvartāt pravavrāja.

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī berkata: Demikianlah Tuhan Ṛṣabhadeva, sahabat agung semua makhluk, menasihati putra-putra-Nya demi menjadi teladan bagi dunia, walaupun mereka sudah terdidik. Ajaran ini juga mengajar dharma paramahaṁsa—berciri bhakti, jñāna dan vairāgya—kepada para muni yang tenang dan bebas daripada karma berbuah. Lalu Baginda menobatkan putera sulung-Nya, Bharata—seorang bhāgavata utama, pelindung para Vaiṣṇava—untuk memerintah bumi. Sesudah itu, meski masih di rumah, Baginda hidup seperti orang gila: telanjang, rambut kusut; menyerap api yajña ke dalam diri-Nya, Baginda meninggalkan Brahmāvarta untuk mengembara ke seluruh dunia.

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक) + śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name with honorific

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

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

• anuśāsya: having instructed
• anuśāsya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-śās (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-र्थे ल्यप्); 'having instructed'

• ātmajān: his sons
• ātmajān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana

• svayam: himself
• svayam: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• anuśiṣṭān: (those) instructed
• anuśiṣṭān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-śās (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle; Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; 'even those who were instructed' (lokān understood)

• api: also/even
• api: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta (निपात)

• loka-anuśāsana-artham: for the purpose of instructing the world
• loka-anuśāsana-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + anuśāsana (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; purpose-accusative: 'for the purpose of instructing the people'

• mahānubhāvaḥ: the great-souled one
• mahānubhāvaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + anubhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'one of great glory'

• parama-suhṛt: the supreme well-wisher
• parama-suhṛt: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + suhṛd (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; apposition

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• ṛṣabha-āpadeśaḥ: (known as) Ṛṣabha
• ṛṣabha-āpadeśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣabha (प्रातिपदिक) + āpadeśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'having the designation/name Ṛṣabha'

• upaśama-śīlānām: of the tranquil-natured
• upaśama-śīlānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upaśama (प्रातिपदिक) + śīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana; 'of those whose nature is tranquility'

• uparata-karmaṇām: of those who have ceased activity
• uparata-karmaṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uparata (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana; 'of those whose actions have ceased'

• mahā-munīnām: of the great sages
• mahā-munīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana

• bhakti-jñāna-vairāgya-lakṣaṇam: characterized by devotion, knowledge, and detachment
• bhakti-jñāna-vairāgya-lakṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक) + jñāna (प्रातिपदिक) + vairāgya (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifying dharmam: 'characterized by devotion, knowledge, and dispassion'

• pāramahaṁsya-dharmam: the dharma of the paramahaṁsas
• pāramahaṁsya-dharmam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāramahaṁsya (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• upaśikṣamāṇaḥ: teaching
• upaśikṣamāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-śikṣ (धातु) + śatṛ (शतृ)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ); Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'teaching'

• sva-tanaya-śata-jyeṣṭham: the eldest of his hundred sons
• sva-tanaya-śata-jyeṣṭham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + tanaya (प्रातिपदिक) + śata (प्रातिपदिक) + jyeṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifying bharatam: 'eldest among (his) hundred sons'

• parama-bhāgavatam: the supreme devotee
• parama-bhāgavatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāgavata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; qualifying bharatam

• bhagavat-jana-parāyaṇam: devoted to the Lord’s devotees
• bhagavat-jana-parāyaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक) + jana (प्रातिपदिक) + parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; 'devoted to the people of the Lord'

• bharatam: Bharata
• bharatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• dharaṇi-pālanāya: for governing the earth
• dharaṇi-pālanāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharaṇī (प्रातिपदिक) + pālana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Caturthī (4th/चतुर्थी), Ekavacana; dative of purpose: 'for ruling/protecting the earth'

• abhiṣicya: having anointed
• abhiṣicya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-ṣic (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund; 'having anointed/coronated'

• svayam: himself
• svayam: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• bhavane: in the house
• bhavane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta, restrictive

• urvarita-śarīra-mātra-parigrahaḥ: having only the bare body as possession
• urvarita-śarīra-mātra-parigrahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: urvarita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + śarīra (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक) + parigraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'one whose only possession was the remaining body'

• unmattaḥ: mad
• unmattaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: unmatta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• iva: as if
• iva: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Upamā-nipāta (उपमा)

• gagana-paridhānaḥ: sky-clad (naked)
• gagana-paridhānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gagana (प्रातिपदिक) + paridhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'one whose clothing was the sky' (naked)

• prakīrṇa-keśaḥ: with disheveled hair
• prakīrṇa-keśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prakīrṇa (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + keśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'one with disheveled hair'

• ātmani: upon himself
• ātmani: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Saptamī, Ekavacana; 'in himself/on himself'

• āropita-āhavanīyaḥ: having internalized the āhavanīya fire
• āropita-āhavanīyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ā-ruh/ārop (धातु) + kta (क्त) + āhavanīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'one who had placed/installed the āhavanīya fire (within himself)'

• brahmāvartāt: from Brahmāvarta
• brahmāvartāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmāvarta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Pañcamī, Ekavacana; ablative 'from Brahmāvarta'

• pravavrāja: departed/went forth
• pravavrāja: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-vraj (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana

Purport

Actually the instructions given to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s sons were not exactly meant for His sons because they were already educated and highly advanced in knowledge. Rather, these instructions were meant for sannyāsīs who intend to become advanced devotees. Sannyāsīs must abide by Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s instructions while on the path of devotional service. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva retired from family life and lived like a naked madman even while still with His family.

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Ṛṣabhadeva
• Bharata

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about paramahaṁsa-dharma in Canto 5?

This verse says that Lord Ṛṣabhadeva taught the paramahaṁsa path, characterized by bhakti (devotion), jñāna (realized knowledge), and vairāgya (detachment), to peaceful sages who had given up fruitive work.

Why did Ṛṣabhadeva crown Bharata as king in the Bhagavatam?

Ṛṣabhadeva anointed Bharata—described here as a supreme devotee devoted to the Lord’s devotees—to protect and govern the earth, showing that righteous rule is best entrusted to a deeply God-centered leader.

How can I apply bhakti, jñāna, and vairāgya in modern life based on this shloka?

Serve and honor devotees (bhakti), cultivate clear understanding of life’s purpose (jñāna), and simplify attachments to what is necessary (vairāgya), balancing responsibility with inner renunciation as Ṛṣabhadeva exemplifies.