Shloka 12

Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step

Devanagari script

सत्यव्रतस्य सततं दीक्षितस्य विशेषत: । नानृतं भाषितुं शक्यं ब्रह्मण्यस्य दयावत: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

satya-vratasya satataṁ dīkṣitasya viśeṣataḥ nānṛtaṁ bhāṣituṁ śakyaṁ brahmaṇyasya dayāvataḥ

Translation

सत्यव्रतस्य सततं दीक्षितस्य विशेषत: । नानृतं भाषितुं शक्यं ब्रह्मण्यस्य दयावत: ॥ १२ ॥

Synonyms

• satya-vratasya: of one whose vow is truth
• satya-vratasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (satyaṁ vrataṁ yasya) (Masculine, Genitive, Singular)

• satatam: always
• satatam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: satata (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• dīkṣitasya: of the initiated (one)
• dīkṣitasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīkṣita (√dīkṣ, क्त-कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-एकवचनम् (Masculine, Genitive, Singular)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially
• viśeṣataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तसिल्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिलन्त-अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• anṛtam: falsehood; untruth
• anṛtam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• bhāṣitum: to speak
• bhāṣitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose-complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhāṣ (भाष्-धातु) + तुमुन् (infinitive)
• Form: तुमुनन्त-अव्ययकृदन्तम् (infinitive)

• śakyam: possible
• śakyam: Kriya (क्रिया/impersonal predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śakya (√śak, यत्-प्रत्यय/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; विधेय-विशेषणम् (Neuter, Nominative, Singular; predicative ‘possible’)

• brahmaṇyasya: of the pious/devoted to Brahmins
• brahmaṇyasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahmaṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-एकवचनम् (Masculine, Genitive, Singular)

• dayāvataḥ: of the compassionate (one)
• dayāvataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dayāvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी-एकवचनम् (Masculine, Genitive, Singular)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about truthfulness (satya) and vows?

This verse states that a person firmly vowed to truth—especially one under sacred vows (dīkṣā)—cannot bring himself to speak falsehood.

Why does the Bhagavatam connect truthfulness with devotion to brāhmaṇas and compassion?

It presents satya as part of a broader dharmic character: one who honors brahminical virtues and is compassionate naturally avoids deceit and harm through speech.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice truthful, non-manipulative speech—especially when you have made commitments—and let compassion guide how and when you speak.