Shloka 19

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच इति निशामयन्त्या मेरुदेव्या: पतिमभिधायान्तर्दधे भगवान् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca iti niśāmayantyā merudevyāḥ patim abhidhāyāntardadhe bhagavān.

Translation

ศุกเทว โคสวามีกล่าวต่อว่า—ครั้นตรัสดังนี้แก่พระเจ้านาภิ พระผู้เป็นเจ้าก็อันตรธานไป พระนางเมรุเทวีประทับอยู่ข้างพระสวามี จึงได้ยินทุกถ้อยคำที่พระผู้เป็นเจ้าตรัส

Synonyms

• śrī-śukaḥ: Śrī Śuka
• śrī-śukaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (श्री, प्रातिपदिक) + śuka (शुक, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (वच्, धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

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

• niśāmayantyāḥ: while she was listening (of Merudevī)
• niśāmayantyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√śam (शम्/शम्, धातु; ‘to notice/hear’)
• Form: Present active participle (कृत्: शतृ) in feminine genitive singular (स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन); ‘of her who was listening’

• merudevyāḥ: of Merudevī
• merudevyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: merudevī (मेरुदेवी, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Singular

• patim: husband
• patim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pati (पति, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• abhidhāya: having addressed
• abhidhāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√dhā (धा, धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्: ल्यप्), ‘having addressed/said’

• antardadhe: disappeared
• antardadhe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: antar-√dhā (धा, धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद); ‘disappeared’

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (भगवत्, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Purport

According to the Vedic injunctions, one should perform sacrifices in the company of one’s own wife. Sapatnīko dharmam ācaret: religious rituals should be performed with one’s wife; therefore Mahārāja Nābhi conducted his great sacrifice with his wife by his side.

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva
• Merudevī
• Ṛṣabhadeva (Bhagavān)

FAQs

Why did Ṛṣabhadeva (Bhagavān) disappear after speaking to Merudevī?

This verse indicates the Lord’s divine withdrawal after delivering His message—showing His transcendence and teaching detachment from bodily association.

What is the meaning of “antardadhe bhagavān” in Srimad Bhagavatam?

It means “the Supreme Lord disappeared (from view),” emphasizing that His presence and departure are under His divine will, not ordinary limitation.

How can devotees apply this verse in modern life?

By practicing steadiness in devotion and duty even when comforting support seems to ‘disappear,’ remembering that spiritual instruction is the lasting shelter.