Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 26

Paraśurāma Avenges Jamadagni; Restoration Through Sacrifice; Viśvāmitra’s Line and Devarāta (Śunaḥśepha)

Devanagari script

आस्तेऽद्यापि महेन्द्राद्रौ न्यस्तदण्ड: प्रशान्तधी: । उपगीयमानचरित: सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणै: ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

āste ’dyāpi mahendrādrau nyasta-daṇḍaḥ praśānta-dhīḥ upagīyamāna-caritaḥ siddha-gandharva-cāraṇaiḥ

Translation

ପରଶୁରାମ ଆଜି ମଧ୍ୟ ମହେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପର୍ବତରେ ଶାନ୍ତବୁଦ୍ଧିରେ ବସନ୍ତି। କ୍ଷତ୍ରିୟ ଅସ୍ତ୍ର ତ୍ୟାଗ କରି, ସିଦ୍ଧ‑ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବ‑ଚାରଣ ତାଙ୍କ ଚରିତ ଗାନ କରନ୍ତି।

Synonyms

• आस्ते: he remains/sits
• आस्ते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• अद्यापि: even today/still now
• अद्यापि: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अद्य + अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• महेन्द्राद्रौ: on Mount Mahendra
• महेन्द्राद्रौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेन्द्र + अद्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (महेन्द्रस्य अद्रिः)

• न्यस्तदण्डः: having laid down the staff; peaceful/renounced
• न्यस्तदण्डः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्यस्त (नि+अस्/स्था? कृदन्त) + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—यस्य दण्डः न्यस्तः (one whose staff is laid down); ‘न्यस्त’ = क्त (past passive participle) from √अस्/√स्था in sense ‘to place/lay’ (usage: न्यस्यति)

• प्रशान्तधीः: of tranquil intellect
• प्रशान्तधीः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रशान्त (प्र+शम्, क्त कृदन्त) + धी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—यस्य धीः प्रशान्ता (one whose mind/intellect is tranquil)

• उपगीयमानचरितः: whose exploits are being sung
• उपगीयमानचरितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपगीयमान (उप+√गै, कर्मणि वर्तमान कृदन्त/शानच्) + चरित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—यस्य चरितं उपगीयमानम् (whose deeds are being sung); ‘उपगीयमान’ = कर्मणि वर्तमान कृदन्त (passive present participle) from √गै (to sing)

• सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणैः: by Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Cāraṇas
• सिद्धगन्धर्वचारणैः: Karta (कर्ता) / Instrumental agent (करण/तृतीया-कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध + गन्धर्व + चारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (सिद्धाश्च गन्धर्वाश्च चारणाश्च)

Characters & Entities

• Paraśurāma
• Siddhas
• Gandharvas
• Cāraṇas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Paraśurāma after his kṣatriya destruction?

This verse says he still resides on Mount Mahendra, having renounced violence (nyasta-daṇḍaḥ) and become peaceful-minded (praśānta-dhīḥ), while celestial beings continue to sing of his deeds.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention that Paraśurāma is ‘still living’ on Mahendra mountain?

To emphasize Paraśurāma’s enduring presence as a ciranjīva-like figure and to highlight the transformation from fierce retribution to restraint and inner peace, making his life an ongoing example within the Purāṇic narrative.

How can ‘nyasta-daṇḍa’ (laying down violence) be applied in modern life?

It points to choosing restraint over retaliation—giving up harmful speech and actions, acting with self-control, and cultivating a calm, steady mind through sādhana, so one’s strength serves dharma rather than anger.