Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 42

The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā

Devanagari script

तत: परिणते काले प्रतिष्ठानपति: प्रभु: । पुरूरवस उत्सृज्य गां पुत्राय गतो वनम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ pariṇate kāle pratiṣṭhāna-patiḥ prabhuḥ purūravasa utsṛjya gāṁ putrāya gato vanam

Translation

Pagkaraan, nang dumating ang takdang panahon at tumanda na si Sudyumna, ang panginoon ng Pratiṣṭhāna, ibinigay niya ang buong kaharian sa kanyang anak na si Purūravā at pumasok sa gubat.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• pariṇate: when (the time) had matured
• pariṇate: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; time)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pariṇata (कृदन्त; √ṇī/√nam? here √ṇam/pari-√ṇam ‘to mature’)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन); PPP (क्त) used adjectivally; agrees with kāle

• kāle: in time / at the time
• kāle: Adhikarana (अधिकरण; time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)

• pratiṣṭhāna-patiḥ: the lord of Pratiṣṭhāna
• pratiṣṭhāna-patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pratiṣṭhāna + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: pratiṣṭhānasya (of Pratiṣṭhāna) + pati (lord)

• prabhuḥ: the ruler
• prabhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prabhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• purūravaḥ: Purūravas
• purūravaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purūravas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)

• utsṛjya: having entrusted / having left behind
• utsṛjya: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ut-√sṛj (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप् form: -ya) with preverb ut-

• gām: the earth (land)
• gām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• putrāya: to (his) son
• putrāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: putra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (चतुर्थी/4), Singular (एकवचन)

• gataḥ: went
• gataḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gata (कृदन्त; √gam गम्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); PPP (क्त) used predicatively

• vanam: to the forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

Purport

According to the Vedic system, one within the institution of varṇa and āśrama must leave his family life after he reaches fifty years of age ( pañcāśordhvaṁ vanaṁ vrajet ). Thus Sudyumna followed the prescribed regulations of varṇāśrama by leaving the kingdom and going to the forest to complete his spiritual life.

Characters & Entities

• Pratiṣṭhānapati (King of Pratiṣṭhānapura)
• Purūravā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about renunciation after family duties are fulfilled?

This verse shows the ideal transition: when the right time comes, a ruler hands the kingdom to his son and goes to the forest, embodying detachment and duty (vanaprastha spirit).

Why did the king of Pratiṣṭhānapura give the kingdom to Purūravā and go to the forest?

Because the appropriate time had arrived for succession; he entrusted rulership to his son and withdrew from worldly administration to pursue a life of renunciation.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Fulfill responsibilities conscientiously, plan orderly succession, and cultivate detachment—making time for spiritual practice as life’s priorities shift.