Shloka 423

Umā–Maheśvara-saṃvāda: Varṇa-bhraṃśa, Ācāra (Vṛtta), and Karmic Ascent/Decline

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणमभ्रिक्रम्य सर्वे प्राजजलय: स्थिता: । भीष्मजी कहते हैं--राजन्‌! तदनन्तर महान्‌ सौभाग्यशाली विश्वविख्यात वसिष्ठ आदि सभी सप्तर्षियोंने कमलयोनि ब्रह्माजीकी प्रदक्षिणा की और सब-के-सब हाथ जोड़कर उनके सामने खड़े हो गये

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇam abhrikramya sarve prāñjalayaḥ sthitāḥ |

Translation

భీష్ముడు పలికెను—రాజా! అనంతరం వసిష్ఠాది ప్రపంచవిఖ్యాత మహాభాగ్యశాలులైన సప్తర్షులు కమలయోని బ్రహ్మదేవుని ప్రదక్షిణ చేసి, అందరూ కృతాంజలులై ఆయన సమక్షంలో వినయంగా నిలిచిరి.

Word by Word

• प्रदक्षिणम्: circumambulation / to the right (as an act)
• प्रदक्षिणम्: Karma
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रदक्षिण
• Form: Avyaya (adverbial accusative usage)

• अभिक्रम्य: having gone around / having approached (and proceeded)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-क्रम्
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), indeclinable; from √क्रम with उपसर्ग अभि

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

• प्राञ्जलयः: with joined hands (reverent posture)
• प्राञ्जलयः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राञ्जलि
• Form: Masculine, nominative, plural

• स्थिताः: stood / remained
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), masculine, nominative, plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• the King (Yudhiṣṭhira)
• Vasiṣṭha
• Saptarṣis (Seven Ṛṣis)
• Brahmā (Kamalayonī, lotus-born)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dhārmic conduct through reverence: approaching a worthy authority with humility, performing pradakṣiṇā, and standing with folded hands. It models disciplined respect for wisdom and cosmic order rather than pride or entitlement.

What is happening in the narrative?

After a preceding event, Vasiṣṭha and the other Seven Ṛṣis approach Brahmā, circumambulate him as a mark of honor, and then stand before him with joined palms, ready to listen or receive instruction.