Shloka 5

Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)

Devanagari script

एवं तदा श्रीरभिभाष्यमाणा देव्या समक्ष गरुडध्वजस्य । उवाच वाक्यं मधुराभि धान मनोहरं चन्द्रमुखी प्रसन्ना

Transliteration

evaṁ tadā śrīr abhibhāṣyamāṇā devyāḥ samakṣaṁ garuḍadhvajasya | uvāca vākyaṁ madhurābhidhānaṁ manoharaṁ candramukhī prasannā ||

Translation

Bấy giờ, Śrī (Lakṣmī), khi được nữ thần hỏi đến, liền cất lời—ngay trước mặt Đấng mang cờ Garuḍa (Viṣṇu)—bằng lời lẽ ngọt ngào, quyến rũ. Nàng, dung nhan như trăng, lòng hoan hỷ, thốt ra lời dịu êm, mở đầu cho lời khuyên đặt nền trên điềm lành và chính đạo.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• तदा: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

• श्रीः: Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• श्रीः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• अभिभाष्यमाणा: being addressed / spoken to
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-भाष्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular, शानच् (present passive participle)

• देव्या: by the goddess
• देव्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• समक्षम्: in the presence (of)
• समक्षम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समक्ष

• गरुडध्वजस्य: of Garuḍa-bannered (Viṣṇu)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुडध्वज
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• उवाच: said
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: Perfect, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• वाक्यम्: a speech / words
• वाक्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• मधुराभिधानम्: sweetly worded
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुराभिधान
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• मनोहरम्: charming
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोहर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• चन्द्रमुखी: moon-faced lady (Lakṣmī)
• चन्द्रमुखी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्रमुखी
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रसन्ना: pleased
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• Garuḍadhvaja (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)
• Devī (a goddess; interlocutor)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames ethical instruction through a model of ideal speech: when pleased and composed, one should respond with words that are sweet, clear, and beneficial—especially in the presence of the divine or elders—so that counsel becomes auspicious and conducive to dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma narrates that Lakṣmī, after being addressed/questioned by another goddess, replies directly before Garuḍadhvaja (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa). Her demeanor is serene and pleased, and she begins a charming, sweetly phrased statement that leads into the ensuing instruction or account.