Dvadasha Skandha Adhyaya 13 Shloka 16 - Srimad Bhagavatam | Thai | Vedapath

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Shloka 16

Bhāgavatam Mahimā — The Glory, Measure, Transmission, and Gift of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

निम्नगानां यथा गङ्गा देवानामच्युतो यथा । वैष्णवानां यथा शम्भु: पुराणानामिदं तथा ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

nimna-gānāṁ yathā gaṅgā devānām acyuto yathā vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ purāṇānām idam tathā

Translation

ดุจดังแม่น้ำทั้งหลายมีคงคาเป็นยอด ดุจดังเทพทั้งหลายมีพระอจฺยุตะเป็นสูงสุด และในหมู่ไวษณพมีพระศัมภุ (ศิวะ) เป็นใหญ่ ฉันใด ในหมู่ปุราณะทั้งหลาย ศรีมทภาควตัมก็เป็นยอดฉันนั้น

Synonyms

निम्नगानाम्of the rivers (that flow downward)

यथाas

गङ्गाGanga

देवानाम्of the gods

अच्युतःAcyuta (the infallible Lord)

यथाas

वैष्णवानाम्of the Vaiṣṇavas

यथाas

शम्भुःŚambhu (Śiva)

पुराणानाम्of the Purāṇas

इदम्this

तथाso

Characters & Entities

Gaṅgā

Acyuta (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)

Śambhu (Śiva)

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

FAQs

Why is Śrīmad Bhāgavatam called the best Purāṇa?

This verse ranks Bhāgavatam as foremost among Purāṇas, comparing its supremacy to Gaṅgā among rivers and Acyuta among the gods—indicating its unmatched power to awaken pure bhakti.

Does the Bhagavatam say Lord Śiva is a Vaiṣṇava?

Yes. This verse explicitly states that among Vaiṣṇavas, Śambhu (Lord Śiva) is foremost, honoring Śiva as the greatest devotee of Viṣṇu.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Give priority to hearing/reading Śrīmad Bhāgavatam regularly, and cultivate devotion to Acyuta with humility—taking guidance from exalted devotees like Śiva, who exemplifies pure Vaiṣṇava spirit.