Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 7

The Pracetās Meet Lord Viṣṇu—Benedictions, Pure Prayer, and the Birth of Dakṣa

Devanagari script

पीनायताष्टभुजमण्डलमध्यलक्ष्म्या स्पर्धच्छ्रिया परिवृतो वनमालयाद्य: । बर्हिष्मत: पुरुष आह सुतान् प्रपन्नान् पर्जन्यनादरुतया सघृणावलोक: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

pīnāyatāṣṭa-bhuja-maṇḍala-madhya-lakṣmyā spardhac-chriyā parivṛto vana-mālayādyaḥ barhiṣmataḥ puruṣa āha sutān prapannān parjanya-nāda-rutayā saghṛṇāvalokaḥ

Translation

Trên cổ Bhagavan đeo vòng hoa rừng dài đến gối; vòng hoa ấy tô điểm cho tám cánh tay rắn chắc và thon dài của Ngài, như thách thức cả vẻ đẹp của Nữ thần Lakṣmī. Với ánh nhìn đầy từ bi và giọng nói như sấm, Ngài cất lời với các con của vua Prācīnabarhiṣat, những người đã hoàn toàn quy phục.

Synonyms

• pīna-āyata-aṣṭa-bhuja-maṇḍala-madhya-lakṣmyā: with the splendor at the center of the circle of eight stout, long arms
• pīna-āyata-aṣṭa-bhuja-maṇḍala-madhya-lakṣmyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pīna (प्रातिपदिक) + āyata (प्रातिपदिक) + aṣṭa (संख्या) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक) + maṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक) + madhya (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (Instrumental), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘with the Lakṣmī (splendor) in the middle of the circle of eight thick, long arms’

• spardhat-śriyā: with competing splendor
• spardhat-śriyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: spardhat (स्पर्ध् धातु, शतृ-कृदन्त) + śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: ‘with rivaling splendor’ (splendor that competes)

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded
• parivṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (described state)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-√vṛ (वृ धातु) (क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; past passive participle: ‘surrounded’

• vana-mālayā: with a garland of forest flowers
• vana-mālayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक) + mālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; ‘with a forest-garland’

• ādyaḥ: the primeval one
• ādyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; ‘the first/primeval’

• barhiṣmataḥ: of Barhiṣmat
• barhiṣmataḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: barhiṣmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti (Genitive/षष्ठी), Ekavacana; ‘of Barhiṣmat (Prācīnabarhi)’

• puruṣaḥ: the Person (Lord)
• puruṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• āha: said
• āha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (अह्/आह् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect/लिट्), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• sutān: sons
• sutān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative/द्वितीया), Bahuvacana

• prapannān: surrendered
• prapannān: Viśeṣaṇa of Karma (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prapanna (pra-√pad धातु, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Bahuvacana; ‘those who have surrendered/taken refuge’ (qualifying sutān)

• parjanya-nāda-rutayā: with a thunder-like sound
• parjanya-nāda-rutayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parjanya (प्रातिपदिक) + nāda (प्रातिपदिक) + ruta (√ru धातु, क्त-कृदन्त as noun)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; ‘with a voice/sound like thunder’

• sa-ghṛṇa-avalokaḥ: with a compassionate look
• sa-ghṛṇa-avalokaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa of Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (सह/स- उपसर्ग/अव्यय-समासाङ्ग) + ghṛṇā (प्रातिपदिक) + avaloka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya: ‘having a compassionate glance’

Purport

The word ādyaḥ in this verse is very significant. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the origin even of Paramātmā and Brahman. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (14.27) , brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham: the Absolute Truth begins not with the impersonal Brahman but with the original Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. When Arjuna realized Kṛṣṇa’s greatness, he addressed Him in this way:

Characters & Entities

• The Supreme Lord (Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa)
• Pracetās
• King Barhiṣmān (Prācīnabarhi)
• Lakṣmī (Śrī)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Lord Vishnu’s form when He appears to devotees?

This verse depicts the Supreme Person with an expansive, eight-armed form, adorned with a forest garland and divine splendor, and emphasizes His compassionate glance toward surrendered devotees.

Why did the Lord speak to the Pracetas in a thunder-like voice?

The thundercloud-like resonance conveys divine majesty and authority, while the context shows He is simultaneously tender—addressing the Pracetas who have taken full shelter of Him.

Practical application of surrender (prapatti) from this verse in modern life?

Approach spiritual practice with wholehearted refuge—humility, steadiness, and trust—because the Bhagavatam repeatedly links sincere surrender with receiving the Lord’s guidance and mercy.