Shloka 63

Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ

Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony

Devanagari script

नानानियमविख्यातैर्षिभि: सुमहात्मभि: । प्रविशन्नेव चापश्यं जटाचीरधरं प्रभुम्‌

Transliteration

nānā-niyama-vikhyātair ṛṣibhiḥ su-mahātmabhiḥ | praviśann eva cāpaśyaṃ jaṭā-cīra-dharaṃ prabhum ||

Translation

Vāsudeva nói: Khi ta bước vào ẩn viện tối thắng ấy—rạng rỡ bởi các hiền sĩ đại hồn, lừng danh vì nhiều phép tu—ta lập tức thấy Upamanyu, vị Bà-la-môn đáng tôn kính như bậc chủ: tóc bện rối, mặc áo vỏ cây, uy lực rực rỡ, do khổ hạnh mà bừng cháy như lửa, tính tình an hòa, tuổi trẻ sung mãn, ngồi giữa vòng đệ tử.

Word by Word

• नाना: various
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• नियम: by observances/rules
• नियम: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: नियम
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• विख्यातैः: renowned
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विख्यात
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• ऋषिभिः: by sages
• ऋषिभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• सुमहात्मभिः: by very great-souled (ones)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• प्रविशन्: entering
• प्रविशन्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-विश्
• Form: Present, Active present participle, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• एव: indeed/just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अपश्यम्: I saw
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: Imperfect, 1, Singular, Parasmaipada

• जटा: matted hair
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• चीर: bark-cloth/cloth
• Type: Noun
• Root: चीर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• धरम्: wearing/bearing
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• प्रभुम्: the lord/master
• प्रभुम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वासुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
• Ṛṣis (great sages)
• Āśrama (hermitage)
• Upamanyu
• Jaṭā (matted locks)
• Cīra/valkala (bark-garment)
• Śiṣyas (disciples)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that genuine spiritual and social authority arises from disciplined observance (niyama), austerity (tapas), serenity, and learning. A dharmic order is portrayed as flourishing where great sages uphold restraint and where a worthy teacher is honored by disciples.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāsudeva narrates entering a beautiful hermitage renowned for sages famous for strict observances. Upon entering, he immediately sees the eminent brahmin Upamanyu—an ascetic in matted locks and bark-garments—radiant with tapas and seated amid his disciples.