Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 23

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History

Devanagari script

विलोक्यानुगतां साध्वीं पृथुं वीरवरं पतिम् । तुष्टुवुर्वरदा देवैर्देवपत्‍न्य: सहस्रश: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

vilokyānugatāṁ sādhvīṁ pṛthuṁ vīra-varaṁ patim tuṣṭuvur varadā devair deva-patnyaḥ sahasraśaḥ

Translation

Khi chứng kiến Arci, người vợ trinh chính, theo bước phu quân Pṛthu—bậc anh hùng tối thượng—hàng ngàn phu nhân của chư thiên, cùng với các phu quân của họ, vô cùng hoan hỷ và dâng lời tán thán lên hoàng hậu.

Synonyms

• vilokya: having seen
• vilokya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-lok (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), from √लोक् with prefix वि-; ‘having seen’

• anugatām: following (him)
• anugatām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-gam (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/भूतकृदन्त) used adjectivally; Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; ‘followed/going after’ qualifying sādhvīm

• sādhvīm: the chaste lady
• sādhvīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• pṛthum: Pṛthu
• pṛthum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular (proper name)

• vīra-varam: best of heroes
• vīra-varam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक) + vara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; karmadhāraya: ‘best (vara) among heroes (vīra)’ qualifying patim/pṛthum

• patim: husband/lord
• patim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; reduplicated perfect of √स्तु ‘to praise’

• varadāḥ: boon-giving
• varadāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Plural; ‘boon-giving’ qualifying deva-patnyaḥ

• devaiḥ: by/with the gods
• devaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• deva-patnyaḥ: the wives of the gods
• deva-patnyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + patnī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Plural; tatpuruṣa: ‘wives of the gods’

• sahasraśaḥ: in thousands
• sahasraśaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasraśas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय) meaning ‘by thousands/in thousands’

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• Arci (Pṛthu’s queen)
• Devas
• Devapatnīs

FAQs

Why do the demigods and their wives glorify King Pṛthu in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.23.23?

Because Pṛthu is portrayed as an exemplary, heroic, dharmic ruler and devotee; witnessing his greatness and the virtue of his queen, the devas and devapatnīs respond by offering praises.

What does this verse teach about the ideal relationship between husband and wife in the Bhagavata Purana?

It highlights fidelity and shared dharma—Arci follows her husband in devotion and duty, and such harmony in righteous life becomes worthy of honor even among the celestial beings.

How can devotees apply the message of Bhagavatam 4.23.23 in modern life?

By cultivating integrity, devotion, and mutual support within family life—living so that one’s character naturally inspires respect and remembrance of higher, spiritual ideals.