Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 40

Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच एवमाभाषित: पृष्ट: स राज्ञा श्लक्ष्णया गिरा । प्रत्यभाषत धर्मज्ञो भगवान् बादरायणि: ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

sūta uvāca evam ābhāṣitaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ sa rājñā ślakṣṇayā girā pratyabhāṣata dharma-jño bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ

Translation

سوت جی نے کہا—بادشاہ نے شیریں کلام سے یوں سوال کیا۔ تب دین کے اصول جاننے والے، ویاس دیو کے پتر بھگوان بادَرایَنی (شکدیو) نے جواب دینا شروع کیا۔

Synonyms

• sūtaḥ: Sūta
• sūtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (thus)

• ābhāṣitaḥ: addressed/spoken to
• ābhāṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + bhāṣ (धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• pṛṣṭaḥ: asked
• pṛṣṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prach (धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; संकेत/अन्वय सर्वनाम

• rājñā: by the king
• rājñā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• ślakṣṇayā: with gentle
• ślakṣṇayā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ślakṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; विशेषण (girā इति)

• girā: speech/words
• girā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gir (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• pratyabhāṣata: replied
• pratyabhāṣata: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati + ā + bhāṣ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• dharma-jñaḥ: knower of dharma
• dharma-jñaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (dharmasya jñaḥ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (bhagavān इति)

• bhagavān: the venerable one
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• bādarāyaṇiḥ: Bādarāyaṇi (Śuka)
• bādarāyaṇiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bādarāyaṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गोत्र/पैत्रिक नाम

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the First Canto, Nineteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī.”

Characters & Entities

• Sūta Gosvāmī
• King Parīkṣit
• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa)

FAQs

Who is Bādarāyaṇi mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.40?

Bādarāyaṇi refers to Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Bādarāyaṇa (Vyāsa), renowned as a realized sage and knower of dharma.

Why does King Parīkṣit speak with ‘ślakṣṇayā girā’ (gentle words) to Śukadeva?

Because Parīkṣit approaches a spiritually exalted sage with humility and respect, making his inquiry fitting for receiving sacred instruction.

What is the practical lesson of Bhagavatam 1.19.40 for modern seekers?

Approach spiritual teachers and scripture with sincere, respectful inquiry; such humility invites clear guidance rooted in dharma and devotion.