Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 73

Dhruva’s Humiliation, Sunīti’s Counsel, and Nārada’s Bhakti-Yoga Instruction

Devanagari script

द्वितीयं च तथा मासं षष्ठे षष्ठेऽर्भको दिने । तृणपर्णादिभि: शीर्णै: कृतान्नोऽभ्यर्चयन्विभुम् ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

dvitīyaṁ ca tathā māsaṁ ṣaṣṭhe ṣaṣṭhe ’rbhako dine tṛṇa-parṇādibhiḥ śīrṇaiḥ kṛtānno ’bhyarcayan vibhum

Translation

ในเดือนที่สอง เด็กน้อยธรุวะเสวยอาหารเพียงทุก ๆ หกวัน และอาหารนั้นเป็นหญ้าแห้งกับใบไม้แห้งเป็นต้น ด้วยวิธีนี้พระองค์ยังคงบูชาพระผู้ทรงฤทธิ์ยิ่ง คือพระวิภูต่อไป

Synonyms

• द्वितीयम्: the second
• द्वितीयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Accusative, Singular; ‘second’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction), समुच्चय (and)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), ‘likewise/in the same way’

• मासम्: month
• मासम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• षष्ठे: on the sixth (day)
• षष्ठे: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Locative, Singular; ‘on the sixth’)

• षष्ठे: again on the sixth
• षष्ठे: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (repetition)

• अर्भकः: the boy (Dhruva)
• अर्भकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्भक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• दिने: on the day
• दिने: Kālādhi karaṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन (Neuter, Locative, Singular)

• तृणपर्णादिभिः: with grasses, leaves, etc.
• तृणपर्णादिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण-पर्ण-आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन (Neuter collective, Instrumental, Plural)

• शीर्णैः: withered
• शीर्णैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (Instrumental, Plural; ‘withered’)

• कृतान्नः: having prepared food
• कृतान्नः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत-अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘having prepared food’)

• अभ्यर्चयन्: worshipping
• अभ्यर्चयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Singular)

• विभुम्: the all-powerful Lord
• विभुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Dhruva Maharaja’s austerities?

This verse states that in his second month of tapasya, Dhruva worshiped the Lord while eating only every sixth day, taking simple food made from withered grass and leaves.

Why did Dhruva Maharaja perform such severe fasting and worship?

In this chapter’s narrative, Dhruva is determined to attain the Lord’s direct audience and blessing; his increasing austerity expresses single-minded bhakti and unwavering resolve.

Practical application of Dhruva’s discipline in modern life?

Adopt steady, realistic vows—simplify habits, reduce distractions, and keep a consistent daily practice of devotion—so determination supports spiritual focus rather than comfort-seeking.