Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 6

Varāha-avatāra: The Boar Incarnation Lifts the Earth and Slays Hiraṇyākṣa

Devanagari script

मैत्रेय उवाच यदा स्वभार्यया सार्धं जात: स्वायम्भुवो मनु: । प्राञ्जलि: प्रणतश्चेदं वेदगर्भमभाषत ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

maitreya uvāca yadā sva-bhāryayā sārdhaṁ jātaḥ svāyambhuvo manuḥ prāñjaliḥ praṇataś cedaṁ veda-garbham abhāṣata

Translation

ฤๅษีไมเตรยะกล่าวว่า เมื่อสวายัมภูวะมนูปรากฏพร้อมภรรยา เขาประนมมือก้มกราบ แล้วทูลต่อพรหมา ผู้เป็นครรภ์แห่งพระเวท ด้วยถ้อยคำดังนี้

Synonyms

• मैत्रेयः: Maitreya
• मैत्रेयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैत्रेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb/conjunction: when)

• स्व-भार्यया: with his own wife
• स्व-भार्यया: Sahakaraka (सह/साकं; सहार्थ-तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Instrumental, Singular); कर्मधारय (one’s own wife)

• सार्धम्: together with
• सार्धम्: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: सहार्थक-अव्यय (indeclinable meaning ‘together with’)

• जातः: was born
• जातः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जात (कृदन्त; √जन् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); भूतकृत् (born)

• स्वायम्भुवः: Svāyambhuva
• स्वायम्भुवः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वायम्भुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); विशेषण (epithet of Manu)

• मनुः: Manu
• मनुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular)

• प्राञ्जलिः: with joined palms
• प्राञ्जलिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); विशेषण (with folded hands)

• प्रणतः: bowed; prostrate
• प्रणतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रणत (कृदन्त; √नम् धातु, उपसर्ग प्र-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative, Singular); भूतकृत् (bowed down)

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• इदम्: this (speech/statement)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular)

• वेद-गर्भम्: Veda-garbha (Brahmā)
• वेद-गर्भम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative, Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (veda-garbha = one who contains the Veda; epithet of Brahmā)

• अभाषत: spoke
• अभाषत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अ + √भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

Characters & Entities

• Maitreya
• Svayambhuva Manu
• Vedagarbha (Brahma)
• Manu's wife (Shatarupa)

FAQs

Who is Vedagarbha in Srimad Bhagavatam 3.13.6?

Vedagarbha refers to Lord Brahmā, the being from whom Vedic knowledge is manifested, and to whom Manu offers respectful words.

Why did Svayambhuva Manu speak to Brahma with folded hands?

Because Manu approaches Brahmā as the cosmic authority and guide in creation, showing humility and reverence before seeking instruction.

What is the practical lesson of Bhagavatam 3.13.6 for modern life?

Approach teachers, elders, and spiritual guidance with humility—listening respectfully before acting—especially when beginning important responsibilities.