Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 55

Brahmā’s Creation: The Kumāras, Rudra, the Prajāpatis, and the Manifestation of Vedic Sound

Devanagari script

तदा मिथुनधर्मेण प्रजा ह्येधाम्बभूविरे ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

tadā mithuna-dharmeṇa prajā hy edhām babhūvire

Translation

Затем, следуя дхарме супружеского союза, потомство постепенно умножалось, поколение за поколением.

Synonyms

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• mithuna-dharmeṇa: by the law/practice of pairing (sexual union)
• mithuna-dharmeṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mithuna (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (mithunasya dharmaḥ)

• prajāḥ: creatures/offspring
• prajāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle of emphasis/causal)

• edhām: increase/prosperity
• edhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: edhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अर्थे ‘वृद्धि/समृद्धि’

• babhūvire: they became/grew
• babhūvire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन, आत्मनेपद

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about mithuna-dharma (male–female union)?

This verse states that through mithuna-dharma—the natural principle of male and female union—progeny multiplies, showing how population expansion proceeds in the creation narrative.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention progeny increasing in Canto 3?

In Canto 3’s description of creation, Śukadeva explains the mechanisms by which living beings become numerous; this verse highlights procreation as a key means for the increase of prajā (progeny).

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

It reminds one that family life and procreation have a dharmic function—responsible growth and nurturing of life—rather than being merely sense-centered.