Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 16

Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva

Devanagari script

कालिन्द्यां विधिवत् स्‍नात्वा कृतपुण्यजलक्रिय: । मौनेन संयतप्राणो ब्रह्मपुत्राववन्दत ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

kālindyāṁ vidhivat snātvā kṛta-puṇya-jala-kriyaḥ maunena saṁyata-prāṇo brahma-putrāv avandata

Translation

ରାଜା କାଳିନ୍ଦୀ (ଯମୁନା)ରେ ବିଧିମତ୍ ସ୍ନାନ କରି ପିତୃ ଓ ଦେବତାମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଳ-ତର୍ପଣ ଅର୍ପଣ କଲେ। ପରେ ମୌନ ଧାରଣ କରି ଇନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟ-ମନ ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣ କରି ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁତ୍ର ଅଙ୍ଗିରା ଓ ନାରଦଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରଣାମ କଲେ।

Synonyms

• kālindyām: in the (river) Kālindī/Yamunā
• kālindyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kālindī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vidhivat: according to rule; duly
• vidhivat: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vidhi-vat (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• snātvā: having bathed
• snātvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: snā (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यबन्त), from √snā ‘to bathe’; prior action

• kṛta-puṇya-jala-kriyaḥ: one who had performed the sacred water-rite
• kṛta-puṇya-jala-kriyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ धातु-कृदन्त) + puṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक) + kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); compound qualifying the subject; internal relation: puṇya-jala-kriyā = ‘rite with sacred water’, kṛta- = ‘performed’

• maunena: by silence; with a vow of silence
• maunena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mauna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• saṁyata-prāṇaḥ: with controlled breath/vital airs
• saṁyata-prāṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṁyata (यम् धातु-कृदन्त, क्त) + prāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘whose prāṇas are restrained’

• brahma-putrau: the two sons of Brahmā
• brahma-putrau: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Dual (द्विवचन); tatpuruṣa: ‘sons of Brahmā’

• avandata: he bowed to; he paid obeisance
• avandata: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vand (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

Characters & Entities

• Kālindī (Yamunā)
• Brahmā-putras (two sons of Brahmā)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about purification before meeting saints or sages?

This verse shows that one should first purify oneself through proper bathing, sacred water-rites, silence, and self-control, and then approach exalted persons with reverence.

Why does the Bhagavatam mention silence (mauna) and breath control (saṁyata-prāṇa)?

It highlights inner discipline—quieting speech and regulating the life-air—to cultivate humility and focused consciousness before offering respects to spiritually powerful beings.

Practical application: how can I apply this teaching in modern devotional life?

Before prayer, study, or visiting a temple/teacher, adopt a brief purification routine—cleanliness, a few moments of silence, steady breathing, and a respectful attitude.