Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 60

Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra

Devanagari script

मातरिश्वेव सर्वात्मा बलेन महसौजसा । अविषह्यतया देवो भगवान् भूतराडिव ॥ ६० ॥

Transliteration

mātariśveva sarvātmā balena mahasaujasā aviṣahyatayā devo bhagavān bhūta-rāḍ iva

Translation

ด้วยกำลังกายและกำลังแห่งประสาทสัมผัส มหาราชปฤถุทรงแข็งแกร่งดุจลมที่ไปได้ทุกแห่ง; และด้วยเดชอันยากต้าน ทรงประหนึ่งภควานรูปพระรุทระ คือสทาศิวะผู้ทรงอานุภาพยิ่ง

Synonyms

• मातरिश्वा: Mātariśvan (Vāyu)
• मातरिश्वा: उपमान (Upamāna/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातरिश्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; Proper noun

• इव: like/as
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• सर्वात्मा: the soul of all; all-pervading self
• सर्वात्मा: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वस्य आत्मा)

• बलेन: by strength
• बलेन: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; Instrumental

• महसा: by splendor
• महसा: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental

• ओजसा: by vigor
• ओजसा: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental

• अविषह्यतया: by irresistibility; by being unendurable
• अविषह्यतया: करण (Karaṇa/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविषह्यता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम (abstract noun)

• देवः: the god
• देवः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भूतराट्: king of beings
• भूतराट्: उपमान (Upamāna/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + राज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भूतानां राजा)

• इव: like/as
• इव: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• Mātariśvā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of an ideal ruler?

This verse praises Pṛthu Mahārāja as all-pervading in care (sarvātmā), immensely powerful, and irresistible—depicting a dharmic ruler whose strength supports order and protection of all beings.

Why is Pṛthu Mahārāja compared to Mātariśvā (the wind) in Bhagavatam 4.22?

Because the wind moves everywhere and sustains life, the comparison highlights Pṛthu’s pervasive influence and presence—his governance and potency extended throughout his realm, benefiting all.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate leadership that is both compassionate and effective: be “all-pervading” in responsibility, develop inner strength and competence, and use power to protect and uplift others rather than to dominate.