Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 22

Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance

Devanagari script

तमुपागतमालक्ष्य सर्वे सुरगणादय: । प्रणेमु: सहसोत्थाय ब्रह्मेन्द्रत्र्यक्षनायका: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

tam upāgatam ālakṣya sarve sura-gaṇādayaḥ praṇemuḥ sahasotthāya brahmendra-tryakṣa-nāyakāḥ

Translation

ทันทีที่พระวิษณุปรากฏแก่สายตา เหล่าเทพทั้งปวง—พระพรหม พระอินทร์ พระศิวะผู้มีสามเนตร คันธรรพ์ และผู้ที่อยู่ ณ ที่นั้น—ต่างลุกขึ้นพร้อมกันแล้วหมอบกราบถวายบังคมต่อพระองค์โดยฉับพลัน

Synonyms

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (Acc. 2nd), Ekavacana; sarvanāma

• upāgatam: having arrived
• upāgatam: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-ā-√gam (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; kta-participle qualifying tam: ‘having arrived/approached’

• ālakṣya: having seen/noticed
• ālakṣya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā-√lakṣ (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Kṛdanta-avyaya (absolutive/gerund), ‘having noticed/seeing’

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā (Nom. 1st), Bahuvacana

• sura-gaṇa-ādayaḥ: the gods’ groups and others
• sura-gaṇa-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘the groups of gods and others’

• praṇemuḥ: bowed down
• praṇemuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√nam (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana; parasmaipada

• sahasā: suddenly/at once
• sahasā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasā (अव्यय)
• Form: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa-avyaya (adverb)

• utthāya: having risen
• utthāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ud-√sthā (धातु) + lyap (ल्यप्)
• Form: Kṛdanta-avyaya (absolutive/gerund): ‘having risen’

• brahma-indra-tryakṣa-nāyakāḥ: the leaders—Brahmā, Indra, Tryakṣa (Śiva), etc.
• brahma-indra-tryakṣa-nāyakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक) + tryakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + nāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; dvandva (copulative) listing leaders: Brahmā, Indra, Tryakṣa (Śiva) etc., as nāyakāḥ ‘leaders’

Purport

It appears that Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Lord even of Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā, what to speak of the demigods, Gandharvas and ordinary living entities. It is stated in a prayer, yaṁ brahmā varuṇendra-rudra-marutāḥ: all the demigods worship Lord Viṣṇu. Similarly, dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ: yogīs concentrate their minds on the form of Lord Viṣṇu. Thus Lord Viṣṇu is worshipable by all demigods, all Gandharvas and even Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā. Tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ: Viṣṇu is therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even though Lord Śiva was previously referred to in prayers by Lord Brahmā as the Supreme, when Lord Viṣṇu appeared, Śiva also fell prostrated before Him to offer respectful obeisances.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Indra
• Śiva (Tryakṣa)

FAQs

What is the meaning of Bhagavatam 4.7.22?

It describes how, upon the arrival of a highly revered person, all the demigods immediately stood up and offered respectful obeisances, with Brahmā, Indra, and Lord Śiva leading the assembly.

Why did Brahmā and Indra offer obeisances along with Lord Śiva in Dakṣa’s sacrifice episode?

In the Dakṣa-yajña narrative, the leaders of the devas demonstrate proper Vaiṣṇava-Paurāṇic etiquette: when a supremely worshipable personality arrives, even the greatest administrators like Brahmā and Indra rise and bow, acknowledging higher spiritual authority and restoring harmony.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

It teaches humility and proper respect: when encountering saintly persons, teachers, elders, or spiritually advanced devotees, one should respond promptly with honor and receptivity rather than ego or familiarity.