Shloka 55

Puṣkara Mahatmya: Brahmā’s Lotus-Tīrtha, Sacrifice, Initiation, and Kṣetra-Dharma

Devanagari script

वरं वृणीध्वं भद्रं वः पादपानित्युवाच सः । एवमुक्ता भगवता तरवो निरवग्रहाः

Transliteration

varaṃ vṛṇīdhvaṃ bhadraṃ vaḥ pādapānityuvāca saḥ | evamuktā bhagavatā taravo niravagrahāḥ

Translation

Disse às árvores: «Escolhei uma dádiva; que o bem esteja convosco». Assim interpeladas pelo Senhor Bem-aventurado, as árvores, sem qualquer hesitação, responderam.

Word by Word

• varam: boon
• varam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (वर)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vṛṇīdhvam: choose (you all)
• vṛṇīdhvam: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vṛ (वृ)
• Form: Lot Lakara (Imperative), Atmanepada, Madhyama Purusha (2nd), Plural

• bhadram: welfare/good fortune
• bhadram: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhadra (भद्र)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vaḥ: for you
• vaḥ: Sampradana (Beneficiary/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuṣmad (युष्मद्)
• Form: Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Plural (Enclitic form)

• pādapān: to the trees
• pādapān: Karma (Object/कर्म - of speech)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādapa (पादप)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• iti: thus
• iti: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (इति)
• Form: Particle indicating end of quote

• uvāca: said/spoke
• uvāca: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच्)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• evam: in this manner
• evam: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (एवम्)
• Form: Adverb

• uktāḥ: addressed/spoken to
• uktāḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (वच्)
• Form: Ktā Pratyaya (Past Passive Participle), Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• bhagavatā: by the Lord
• bhagavatā: Karta (Agent in passive/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (भगवत्)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• taravaḥ: trees
• taravaḥ: Karma (Object becoming Subject in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taru (तरु)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• niravagrahāḥ: unrestrained/free
• niravagrahāḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niravagraha (निरवग्रह)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

The Blessed Lord (Bhagavān) addressing the trees

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: forest

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: pādapān + iti = pādapāniti; taravaḥ + niravagrahāḥ = taravo niravagrahāḥ (Visarga Sandhi)

FAQs

Why are trees called “pādapa” in this verse?

“Pādapa” literally suggests “one that drinks through the feet,” pointing to the traditional idea that trees absorb water through their roots; it is a common Sanskrit epithet for trees.

What is the ethical or spiritual lesson implied by offering a boon?

The verse frames divine generosity as welfare-oriented (“bhadraṃ vaḥ”), implying that gifts or boons should aim at the good of the recipient and be offered with benevolent intent.

What does “niravagrahāḥ” indicate about the trees’ response?

It indicates they were unreserved—free from hesitation or obstruction—suggesting readiness and clarity in responding to the divine address.