Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

योगादेशमुपासाद्य धारयन्तो मुनिव्रता: । समाहितधिय: सर्व एतदभ्यसताद‍ृता: ॥ ७१ ॥

Transliteration

yogādeśam upāsādya dhārayanto muni-vratāḥ samāhita-dhiyaḥ sarva etad abhyasatādṛtāḥ

Translation

诸王子啊！我以祈祷偈的形式阐明了持诵圣名的瑜伽法门。你们都应将此赞颂铭记于心，立下如圣贤般的誓愿，并以寂然、恭敬与专注来修习此法。

Synonyms

• योग-आदेशम्: the instruction of yoga
• योग-आदेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + आदेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य आदेशः)

• उपासाद्य: having approached
• उपासाद्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-आ-सद् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); ‘having approached/attained’

• धारयन्तः: holding/maintaining
• धारयन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु) (वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्यय कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन

• मुनि-व्रताः: those with sages’ vows
• मुनि-व्रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (मुनेः व्रतम् येषाम्/मुनिव्रताः = मुनिव्रतधारिणः)

• समाहित-धियः: whose minds are concentrated
• समाहित-धियः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समाहित (सम्-आ-धा धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त) + धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (येषां धियः समाहिताः ते)

• सर्वे: all (of you)
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• अभ्यसत: practice
• अभ्यसत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-अस् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ/imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (Vedic/epic imperative form)

• आदृताः: with respect/earnestly
• आदृताः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदृत (आ-दृ धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त (past participle used adjectivally); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; ‘आदरयुक्ताः’

Purport

In the haṭha-yoga system one has to practice bodily exercises, dhyāna, dhāraṇā, āsana, meditation, etc. One also has to sit in one place in a particular posture and concentrate his gaze on the tip of the nose. There are so many rules and regulations for the haṭha-yoga system that it is practically impossible to perform it in this age. The alternative system of bhakti-yoga is very easy not only in this age but in others as well, for this yoga system was advocated long ago by Lord Śiva when he advised the princes, the sons of Mahārāja Prācīnabarhiṣat. The bhakti-yoga system is not newly introduced, for even five thousand years ago Lord Kṛṣṇa recommended this bhakti-yoga as the topmost yoga. As Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna in Bhagavad-gītā (6.47) :

Characters & Entities

• Pracetās

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about practicing yoga with a concentrated mind?

This verse emphasizes receiving proper yogic instruction, maintaining it steadily, and practicing with a mind made one-pointed (samāhita-dhī) and with reverence.

Why are the Pracetās described as muni-vrataḥ in Canto 4?

Because they adopted strict vows like sages—disciplined conduct, restraint, and focused practice—so they could carry out the yogic method they had received.

How can I apply this shloka’s teaching in modern life?

Learn a genuine spiritual discipline from a trustworthy source, commit to consistent daily practice, and cultivate attention and respect for the process rather than treating it casually.