Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 3

Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial

Devanagari script

रजोभि: समसङ्ख्याता: पार्थिवैरिह जन्तव: । तेषां ये केचनेहन्ते श्रेयो वै मनुजादय: ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

rajobhiḥ sama-saṅkhyātāḥ pārthivair iha jantavaḥ teṣāṁ ye kecanehante śreyo vai manujādayaḥ

Translation

रजोभिः समसङ्ख्याता इह पार्थिवैः परमाणुभिः तुल्यसंख्याः जन्तवः सन्ति; तेषां मध्ये मनुजादयः केचनैव श्रेयः साधयितुम् इच्छन्ति।

Synonyms

• rajobhiḥ: by rajas (passion)
• rajobhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural

• sama-saṅkhyātāḥ: considered equal
• sama-saṅkhyātāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama + saṅkhyāta (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त from √khyā)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; past participle used adjectivally: ‘counted as equal’

• pārthivaiḥ: with the earthly (people)
• pārthivaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सह/साकं) / Karaṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārthiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural; ‘with/among earthly (beings)’

• iha: here
• iha: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक)

• jantavaḥ: living beings
• jantavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jantu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• teṣām: of them
• teṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive, Plural; pronoun

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; relative pronoun

• kecana: some
• kecana: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim + cana (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; indefinite pronoun ‘some’

• ihante: strive/endeavor
• ihante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: īh (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Plural; Ātmanepada

• śreyaḥ: the highest good
• śreyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; object of ihante

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• manuja-ādayaḥ: humans and the like
• manuja-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition to kecana/ye)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manuja + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; ‘humans and others’

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the rarity and value of human life?

This verse states that living beings are countless, but only a few—especially humans—can consciously strive for śreyas, the true and lasting good, making human life uniquely valuable for spiritual progress.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize striving for śreyas (the highest good)?

He highlights that most beings remain absorbed in survival and sense-driven aims, whereas human intelligence is meant for deliberate pursuit of ultimate welfare—devotion and liberation—rather than temporary gains.

How can I apply the teaching of śreyas in modern life?

Prioritize choices that deepen character and devotion—regular hearing/chanting, self-discipline, and service—over merely short-term pleasures, using time and abilities for lasting spiritual benefit.