Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
बर्हिषत् सुमहाभागो हाविर्धानि: प्रजापति: । क्रियाकाण्डेषु निष्णातो योगेषु च कुरूद्वह ॥ ९ ॥
barhiṣat sumahā-bhāgo hāvirdhāniḥ prajāpatiḥ kriyā-kāṇḍeṣu niṣṇāto yogeṣu ca kurūdvaha
Hiền triết Maitreya tiếp lời: Hỡi Vidura, người con đầy uy lực của Havirdhāna tên Barhiṣat rất tinh thông các lễ tế theo nghi quỹ nghiệp báo và cũng thiện xảo trong huyền môn yoga; nhờ đức hạnh lớn lao, ngài được biết đến như Prajāpati.
In the beginning of the creation there were not many living entities, and consequently the very powerful living entities or demigods were appointed as Prajāpatis in order to beget children and increase the population. There are many Prajāpatis — Brahmā, Dakṣa and Manu are sometimes known as Prajāpatis — and Barhiṣat, the son of Havirdhāna, became one of them.
FAQs
He is a progenitor (Prajāpati) described here as highly fortunate and exceptionally trained both in Vedic ritual performance (kriyā-kāṇḍa) and in yogic disciplines.
Śukadeva is narrating to King Parīkṣit and honors him as the foremost of the Kuru dynasty while describing the qualifications of Prajāpati Barhiṣat within the ongoing narrative.
The verse highlights balanced spiritual competence—discipline in one’s prescribed duties and sincerity in inner practice—encouraging seekers to unite ethical action with genuine spiritual cultivation.