Shloka 63

Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ

Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony

Devanagari script

नानानियमविख्यातैर्षिभि: सुमहात्मभि: । प्रविशन्नेव चापश्यं जटाचीरधरं प्रभुम्‌

Transliteration

nānā-niyama-vikhyātair ṛṣibhiḥ su-mahātmabhiḥ | praviśann eva cāpaśyaṃ jaṭā-cīra-dharaṃ prabhum ||

Translation

Васудева сказал: Войдя в тот превосходный ашрам — озарённый великими риши, прославленными множеством обетов и правил, — я тотчас увидел почтенного, властного брахмана Упаманью: с волосами в джате и в одежде из коры, могучего и сияющего, пылающего, как огонь, силой тапаса, спокойного нрава, юного, сидящего в окружении учеников.

Word by Word

• नाना: various
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• नियम: by observances/rules
• नियम: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• विख्यातैः: renowned
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विख्यात
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• ऋषिभिः: by sages
• ऋषिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सुमहात्मभिः: by very great-souled (ones)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• प्रविशन्: entering
• प्रविशन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-विश्
• Form: Present, Active present participle, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपश्यम्: I saw
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: Imperfect, 1, Singular, Parasmaipada

• जटा: matted hair
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• चीर: bark-cloth/cloth
• Type: Noun
• Root: चीर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• धरम्: wearing/bearing
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रभुम्: the lord/master
• प्रभुम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वासुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
• Ṛṣis (great sages)
• Āśrama (hermitage)
• Upamanyu
• Jaṭā (matted locks)
• Cīra/valkala (bark-garment)
• Śiṣyas (disciples)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that genuine spiritual and social authority arises from disciplined observance (niyama), austerity (tapas), serenity, and learning. A dharmic order is portrayed as flourishing where great sages uphold restraint and where a worthy teacher is honored by disciples.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāsudeva narrates entering a beautiful hermitage renowned for sages famous for strict observances. Upon entering, he immediately sees the eminent brahmin Upamanyu—an ascetic in matted locks and bark-garments—radiant with tapas and seated amid his disciples.