Shloka 1

Divinity and Divine Service

Bhagavān and Bhakti as the Supreme Dharma

Devanagari script

व्यास उवाच इति सम्प्रश्नसंहृष्टो विप्राणां रौमहर्षणि: । प्रतिपूज्य वचस्तेषां प्रवक्तुमुपचक्रमे ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

vyāsa uvāca iti sampraśna-saṁhṛṣṭo viprāṇāṁ raumaharṣaṇiḥ pratipūjya vacas teṣāṁ pravaktum upacakrame

Translation

வியாசர் கூறினார்—பிராமணர்களின் சிறந்த கேள்விகளால் ரோமஹர்ஷணரின் மகன் உக்ரஸ்ரவா (சூத கோஸ்வாமி) மிக மகிழ்ந்தார்; அவர்களின் சொற்களை மரியாதையுடன் ஏற்று பதிலளிக்கத் தொடங்கினார்।

Synonyms

• vyāsaḥ: Vyāsa
• vyāsaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध; वाक्य-समाप्ति/उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-प्रयोग)

• sampraśna-saṁhṛṣṭaḥ: delighted by the inquiries
• sampraśna-saṁhṛṣṭaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-praśna (प्रातिपदिक) + sam-√hṛṣ (धातु) + saṁhṛṣṭa (कृत्; क्त)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष: 'delighted by the questions' qualifying raumaharṣaṇiḥ

• viprāṇām: of the brāhmaṇas
• viprāṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• raumaharṣaṇiḥ: Romaharṣaṇa’s son (Sūta)
• raumaharṣaṇiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raumaharṣaṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); proper name (Sūta)

• pratipūjya: having respectfully honored
• pratipūjya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√pūj (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), indeclinable verbal form; 'having duly honored'

• vacaḥ: the words
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); collective 'speech/words'

• teṣām: of them
• teṣām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying vacaḥ: 'of them'

• pravaktum: to expound
• pravaktum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन; infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√vac (धातु)
• Form: Infinitive (तुमुन्), indeclinable verbal form; 'to speak/expound'

• upacakrame: began
• upacakrame: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√kram (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Purport

The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya asked Sūta Gosvāmī six questions, and so he is answering them one by one.

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Suta Gosvami
• Romaharshana
• Naimisharanya sages (brahmanas)

FAQs

Why are sincere questions emphasized in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1?

This verse shows that genuine, well-formed spiritual inquiry pleases the learned and invites authentic exposition of Bhagavatam, making hearing fruitful.

Why did Suta Goswami begin speaking after the sages’ questions at Naimisharanya?

Because their questions were proper and devotionally motivated; Suta honored them respectfully and then commenced the narration in response.

How can I apply the principle of ‘proper inquiry’ in modern spiritual life?

Approach scripture with humility, ask clear questions aimed at transformation (not debate), and hear from reliable teachers in a respectful mood.