Shloka 16

Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial

Devanagari script

महर्षिस्तमुपासीनं प्रश्रयावनतं क्षितौ । प्रतिपूज्य महाराज समाभाष्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

maharṣis tam upāsīnaṁ praśrayāvanataṁ kṣitau pratipūjya mahārāja samābhāṣyedam abravīt

Translation

มหาฤๅษีทรงยกย่องจิตรเกตผู้ก้มต่ำด้วยความนอบน้อม นั่งอยู่บนพื้นใกล้พระบาท แล้วตรัสเรียก “มหาราชา” และกล่าวดังนี้

Synonyms

• महर्षिः: the great sage
• महर्षिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• उपासीणम्: seated near
• उपासीणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप+आस् (धातु) → उपासीण (क्त; कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of तम्)

• प्रश्रय-अवनतम्: bowed with humility
• प्रश्रय-अवनतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रश्रय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवनत (अव+नम् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रश्रयेण अवनतः)

• क्षितौ: on the ground
• क्षितौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• प्रतिपूज्य: having honoured in return
• प्रतिपूज्य: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति+पूज् (धातु) + ल्यप् (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यबन्त-अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया

• महाराज: O great king
• महाराज: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (vocative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् राजा)

• समाभाष्य: having addressed
• समाभाष्य: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्+आ+भाष् (धातु) + ल्यप् (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यबन्त-अव्यय (gerund), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Mahārāja (the King)
• Maharṣi (the great sage)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about humility before saints and elders?

This verse highlights proper Vedic etiquette: the king bows humbly, and the sage reciprocates by honoring him, showing that humility and mutual respect are foundational for receiving spiritual instruction.

Why did the sage first honor the king before speaking in Bhagavatam 6.14.16?

Because genuine teachers in the Bhagavata tradition are not proud; they reciprocate respect, creating a dharmic, receptive atmosphere before giving counsel or blessings.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Approach mentors, teachers, and spiritually advanced persons with humility, listen attentively, and practice respectful reciprocity—this mindset opens one to learning and inner transformation.