Shloka 6

Account of the Ripening of Karma

Childlessness, Offspring, and Remedial Dharma

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मोवाच । कथयामि समासेन सावधानेन तच्छ्रणु । वृत्तांतं पृच्छसि त्वं वै शृण्वतां विस्मयप्रदम्

Transliteration

brahmovāca | kathayāmi samāsena sāvadhānena tacchraṇu | vṛttāṃtaṃ pṛcchasi tvaṃ vai śṛṇvatāṃ vismayapradam

Translation

ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ: ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਸੰਖੇਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਹਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ—ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਣ। ਤੂੰ ਜੋ ਵ੍ਰਿਤਾਂਤ ਪੁੱਛਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਉਹ ਸੁਣਨ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਸਭ ਲਈ ਅਚੰਭਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ।

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• कथयामि: I tell / I will explain
• कथयामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथय् (धातु; णिजन्त)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• समासेन: briefly / in summary
• समासेन: Karana (Manner/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (instrumental of manner)

• सावधानेन: with attention
• सावधानेन: Karana (Manner/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सावधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वृत्तान्तम्: the account / story
• वृत्तान्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्तान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पृच्छसि: you ask
• पृच्छसि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात, निश्चयार्थक

• शृण्वताम्: of the listeners
• शृण्वताम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'of those who are listening'

• विस्मयप्रदम्: wonder-causing
• विस्मयप्रदम्: Karma (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्मय-प्रद (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (वृत्तान्तम् इति)

Speaker

Brahmā

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मोवाच = ब्रह्मा + उवाच; तच्छ्रणु = तत् + शृणु; विस्मयप्रदम् = विस्मय + प्रद (तत्पुरुष).

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

What is the function of this verse in the Padma Purāṇa’s narrative style?

It serves as a framing device: Brahmā signals a forthcoming episode, asks the listener to pay attention, and highlights the story’s wonder-filled nature—typical of Purāṇic dialogue openings.

What does “samāsena” (briefly) imply about the teaching method here?

It indicates a condensed narration—emphasizing essential points without lengthy detail—suggesting that the coming account has a clear takeaway even when summarized.

What ethical or practical lesson is implied by “sāvadhānena tacchṛṇu” (listen attentively)?

The verse underscores disciplined listening (śravaṇa) as a virtue: receptivity and careful attention are presented as prerequisites for understanding sacred history and instruction.