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Shloka 423

Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline

प्रदक्षिणमभ्रिक्रम्य सर्वे प्राजजलय: स्थिता: । भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्‌! तदनन्तर महान्‌ सौभाग्यशाली विश्वविख्यात वसिष्ठ आदि सभी सप्तर्षियोंने कमलयोनि ब्रह्माजीकी प्रदक्षिणा की और सब-के-सब हाथ जोड़कर उनके सामने खड़े हो गये

pradakṣiṇam abhrikramya sarve prāñjalayaḥ sthitāḥ |

Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai Raja! Sesudah itu, semua resi—Vasiṣṭha dan para Saptarṣi yang lain, termasyhur di seluruh dunia dan amat beruntung—mengelilingi (pradakṣiṇā) Brahmā, Yang Lahir dari Teratai, sebagai tanda hormat. Kemudian, dengan kedua telapak tangan dirapatkan, mereka semua berdiri di hadapan-Nya, menzahirkan kerendahan diri yang tertib dan bakti kepada tatanan kosmos.”

प्रदक्षिणम्circumambulation / to the right (as an act)
प्रदक्षिणम्:
Karma
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रदक्षिण
FormAvyaya (adverbial accusative usage)
अभिक्रम्यhaving gone around / having approached (and proceeded)
अभिक्रम्य:
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-क्रम्
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), indeclinable; from √क्रम with उपसर्ग अभि
सर्वेall
सर्वे:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
FormMasculine, nominative, plural
प्राञ्जलयःwith joined hands (reverent posture)
प्राञ्जलयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootप्राञ्जलि
FormMasculine, nominative, plural
स्थिताःstood / remained
स्थिताः:
TypeVerb
Rootस्था
FormPast passive participle (क्त), masculine, nominative, plural

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
T
the King (Yudhiṣṭhira)
V
Vasiṣṭha
S
Saptarṣis (Seven Ṛṣis)
B
Brahmā (Kamalayonī, lotus-born)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights dhārmic conduct through reverence: approaching a worthy authority with humility, performing pradakṣiṇā, and standing with folded hands. It models disciplined respect for wisdom and cosmic order rather than pride or entitlement.

After a preceding event, Vasiṣṭha and the other Seven Ṛṣis approach Brahmā, circumambulate him as a mark of honor, and then stand before him with joined palms, ready to listen or receive instruction.