Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15

The Appearance and Coronation of King Pṛthu (Pṛthu-avatāra) and His Humble Refusal of Premature Praise

Devanagari script

वायुश्च वालव्यजने धर्म: कीर्तिमयीं स्रजम् । इन्द्र: किरीटमुत्कृष्टं दण्डं संयमनं यम: ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

vāyuś ca vāla-vyajane dharmaḥ kīrtimayīṁ srajam indraḥ kirīṭam utkṛṣṭaṁ daṇḍaṁ saṁyamanaṁ yamaḥ

Translation

ਵਾਯੁਦੇਵ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੇਸ਼-ਚਾਮਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਵੱਜਨ ਦਿੱਤੇ। ਧਰਮਰਾਜ ਨੇ ਕੀਰਤੀ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਫੁੱਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਲਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ। ਇੰਦਰ ਨੇ ਉੱਤਮ ਮਕੁਟ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਯਮਰਾਜ ਨੇ ਜਗਤ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਲਈ ਸੰਯਮਨ ਦੰਡ (ਰਾਜਦੰਡ) ਭੇਟ ਕੀਤਾ।

Synonyms

• वायुः: Vāyu (Wind-god)
• वायुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• वालव्यजने: a yak-tail fan (hair-fan)
• वालव्यजने: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाल + व्यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; (वाल = hair)

• धर्मः: Dharma
• धर्मः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कीर्तिमयीम्: made of fame, glorious
• कीर्तिमयीम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कीर्ति + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• स्रजम्: garland
• स्रजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इन्द्रः: Indra
• इन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• किरीटम्: crown
• किरीटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किरीट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उत्कृष्टम्: excellent, superior
• उत्कृष्टम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्-√कृष् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; किरीटम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• दण्डम्: staff, rod
• दण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• संयमनम्: restraining, disciplinary
• संयमनम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संयमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (restraining/disciplining)

• यमः: Yama
• यमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu
• Dharma
• Indra
• Yama
• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about the symbols of ideal kingship in Canto 4?

This verse shows the devas gifting royal emblems—fan, garland of fame, crown, and the daṇḍa of discipline—indicating that a true king rules with honor, righteousness, and regulated justice.

Why did the devas like Indra and Yama give gifts to Pṛthu Mahārāja?

Because Pṛthu is presented as an empowered ideal ruler; the gods honor and equip him with symbols of authority so he can establish dharma and protect society through proper governance.

How can the teaching of daṇḍa (discipline) be applied in modern life?

It encourages principled self-restraint and fair accountability—leading with integrity, setting clear boundaries, and correcting wrongdoing without cruelty.