Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 31

Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)

Devanagari script

इदं विविक्तं जप्तव्यं पवित्रं मङ्गलं परम् । नि:श्रेयसकरं चापि श्रूयतां तद्वदामि व: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

idaṁ viviktaṁ japtavyaṁ pavitraṁ maṅgalaṁ param niḥśreyasa-karaṁ cāpi śrūyatāṁ tad vadāmi vaḥ

Translation

现在我将诵念一则真言：它超越尘世、清净无染、至为吉祥，并能成就究竟福祉。请专心谛听我所宣说。

Synonyms

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; of implied 'hear')
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; demonstrative

• विविक्तम्: distinct; secluded; discriminative
• विविक्तम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविक्त (कृदन्त; √विच्/√विविच्, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; qualifier of इदम्

• जप्तव्यम्: to be chanted
• जप्तव्यम्: विधेय (Predicate complement of इदम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जप्तव्य (कृदन्त; √जप्/जप्-धातु, तव्यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; gerundive = 'to be recited'

• पवित्रम्: purifying
• पवित्रम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; qualifier of इदम्

• मङ्गलम्: auspicious
• मङ्गलम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; qualifier of इदम्

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; qualifier of इदम्

• नि:श्रेयस-करम्: bringing ultimate welfare
• नि:श्रेयस-करम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नि:श्रेयस (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; 'producing the highest good'

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्धसूचक (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि-कार (also/even particle)

• श्रूयताम्: please listen
• श्रूयताम्: क्रिया (Action; injunction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (श्रु-धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद; passive-style polite imperative = 'let it be heard'

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; refers to the teaching/mantra

• वदामि: I speak; I tell
• वदामि: क्रिया (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वद् (वद्-धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वः: to you
• वः: सम्प्रदान (Sampradāna/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी/षष्ठी (4th/6th), बहुवचन; enclitic; here dative sense

Purport

The word viviktam is very significant. No one should think of the prayers recited by Lord Śiva as being sectarian. Rather, they are very confidential, so much so that anyone desiring the ultimate prosperity or auspicious goal of life must take the instructions of Lord Śiva and pray to and glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Lord Śiva himself did.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Śiva (Rudra)
• Pracetās

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about chanting prayers in solitude?

This verse recommends that the prayer be chanted as japa in a secluded, focused setting, emphasizing its purifying and supremely auspicious effect.

Why did Lord Shiva say this to the Pracetas in Bhagavatam 4.24?

Lord Śiva prepares the Pracetās to receive and practice a powerful devotional prayer (Rudra-gīta), assuring them it grants purification and the highest welfare when properly chanted.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Set aside a quiet daily time for mantra/prayer japa with attention and sincerity, treating it as a purifying discipline aimed at inner clarity, devotion, and lasting spiritual good.