Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18

Bali Mahārāja’s Surrender, Prahlāda’s Praise, and the Lord’s Mercy

Sutala and Future Indrahood

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच तस्यानुश‍ृण्वतो राजन् प्रह्लादस्य कृताञ्जले: । हिरण्यगर्भो भगवानुवाच मधुसूदनम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca tasyānuśṛṇvato rājan prahrādasya kṛtāñjaleḥ hiraṇyagarbho bhagavān uvāca madhusūdanam

Translation

ଶ୍ରୀଶୁକ କହିଲେ—ହେ ରାଜା ପରୀକ୍ଷିତ! ପ୍ରହ୍ଲାଦ ମହାରାଜ ହାତ ଯୋଡ଼ି ନିକଟରେ ଦାଁଡ଼ି ଶୁଣୁଥିଲେ; ସେତେବେଳେ ଭଗବାନ ହିରଣ୍ୟଗର୍ଭ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ମଧୁସୂଦନ ପରମପୁରୁଷଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ବୋଧନ କରି କହିବାକୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ।

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (श्रीः + शुकः)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• anuśṛṇvataḥ: while (he) was listening attentively
• anuśṛṇvataḥ: Kāla (काल/Temporal circumstance)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-śru (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्)
• Form: कृदन्त—शतृ (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; (while he was listening)

• rājan: O king
• rājan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• prahrādasya: of Prahlāda
• prahrādasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahrāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• kṛta-añjaleḥ: of (him) whose hands were folded
• kṛta-añjaleḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛ (धातु) + ta (कृत्) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (कृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य सः) = ‘with folded hands’

• hiraṇyagarbhaḥ: Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā)
• hiraṇyagarbhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hiraṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + garbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (हिरण्यस्य गर्भः/हिरण्यगर्भः)

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• madhusūdanam: to Madhusūdana (Vishnu/Krishna)
• madhusūdanam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक) + sūdana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मधोः सूदनः)

Characters & Entities

• Prahlāda
• Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā)
• Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu)
• King Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about offering prayers with folded hands (kṛtāñjali)?

This verse highlights kṛtāñjali—folded hands—as a posture of humility and attentive devotion, shown by Prahlāda while hearing sacred dialogue about the Lord.

Why does Brahmā (Hiraṇyagarbha) speak to Lord Viṣṇu (Madhusūdana) here?

Śukadeva indicates a transition in the narrative: with Prahlāda respectfully listening, Brahmā addresses Viṣṇu, signaling a divine appeal or prayer within the unfolding conflict between devas and asuras.

Practical application of Prahlāda’s mood in modern life?

Approach spiritual learning with attentive listening, humility, and reverence—reducing ego and increasing receptivity to dharmic guidance.