Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 20

Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इति समभिहितो महाभागवतो भगवतस्त्रिभुवनगुरोरनुशासनमात्मनो लघुतयावनतशिरोधरो बाढमिति सबहुमानमुवाह ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca iti samabhihito mahā-bhāgavato bhagavatas tri-bhuvana-guror anuśāsanam ātmano laghutayāvanata-śirodharo bāḍham iti sabahu-mānam uvāha.

Translation

ศรีศุกเทวโคสวามีกล่าวว่า “เมื่อได้รับคำสั่งสอนครบถ้วนจากพระพรหม ผู้เป็นครูแห่งสามโลกแล้ว ปรียวรตะผู้เป็นมหาภาควตะเห็นตนต่ำต้อยจึงก้มศีรษะ กล่าวว่า ‘ขอรับ’ รับพระบัญชาด้วยความเคารพยิ่ง และปฏิบัติตามโดยถูกต้อง”

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-śuka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; proper name; karmadhāraya title-name compound

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथम), Singular; Parasmaipada

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• samabhihitaḥ: having been addressed/spoken to
• samabhihitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-abhihita (समभिहित, कृदन्त; √dhā?/ here √bhidh/भिध् ‘to address/say’)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त); Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agrees with implied subject (e.g., Priyavrataḥ)

• mahā-bhāgavataḥ: the great devotee
• mahā-bhāgavataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāgavata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; karmadhāraya used as epithet of the person addressed

• bhagavataḥ: of the Lord
• bhagavataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular

• tri-bhuvana-guroḥ: of the teacher of the three worlds
• tri-bhuvana-guroḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (त्रि, संख्या) + bhuvana (भुवन, प्रातिपदिक) + guru (गुरु, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular; tatpuruṣa ‘guru of the three worlds’

• anuśāsanam: instruction/command
• anuśāsanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anuśāsana (अनुशासन, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular

• ātmanaḥ: of himself
• ātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (आत्मन्, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• laghutayā: with humility/lightness (of ego)
• laghutayā: Hetu/Karaṇa (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laghutā (लघुता, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular; abstract noun

• avanata-śirodharaḥ: with head bowed
• avanata-śirodharaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avanata (अवनत, कृदन्त; √nam/नम्) + śiras (शिरस्, प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (धर, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi ‘one whose head is bowed’; Masculine, Nominative, Singular; qualifies the devotee

• bāḍham: certainly
• bāḍham: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bāḍham (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) meaning ‘certainly/indeed’

• iti: thus
• iti: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle

• sa-bahu-mānam: (it) with great respect
• sa-bahu-mānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (स, उपसर्ग/सह) + bahu (बहु, प्रातिपदिक) + māna (मान, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular; avyayībhāva ‘with much respect’ used adverbially as object of ‘uvāha’ (carried/accepted)

• uvāha: accepted/bore (in mind)
• uvāha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vah (वह्)
• Form: Liṭ-lakāra (लिट्, perfect), Prathama-puruṣa, Singular; Parasmaipada

Purport

Śrī Priyavrata was the grandson of Lord Brahmā. Therefore according to social etiquette, his position was inferior. It is the duty of the inferior to carry out the order of the superior with great respect. Priyavrata therefore immediately said, “Yes, sir. I shall carry out your order.” Priyavrata is described as a mahā-bhāgavata, a great devotee. The duty of a great devotee is to carry out the order of the spiritual master, or the spiritual master of the spiritual master in the paramparā system. As described in Bhagavad-gītā (4.2) , evaṁ paramparā prāptam: one has to receive the instructions of the Supreme Lord through the disciplic chain of spiritual masters. A devotee of the Lord always considers himself a servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord.

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Bhagavān (Supreme Lord, tri-bhuvana-guru)
• Mahā-bhāgavata (the great devotee being instructed)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about humility in devotion?

This verse highlights that a great devotee accepts the Lord’s instruction with bowed head and deep reverence—humility is shown as the natural ornament of bhakti.

Why is Bhagavān called tri-bhuvana-guru in this verse?

Because the Supreme Lord is the ultimate teacher and guide for all beings across the three worlds; all true instruction ultimately rests in Him.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Receive spiritual guidance without ego—practice respectful listening, accept correction, and act on dharmic instructions with sincerity.