Shloka 9

The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute

Devanagari script

श्रीभगवानुवाच स्वायम्भुव ब्रह्मसत्रं जनलोकेऽभवत् पुरा । तत्रस्थानां मानसानां मुनीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम् ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca svāyambhuva brahma-satraṁ jana-loke ’bhavat purā tatra-sthānāṁ mānasānāṁ munīnām ūrdhva-retasām

Translation

至上人格神说道：噢，自生梵天之子啊，久远以前在阇那洛迦曾举行过一场梵祭（brahma-satra）。彼处有诸牟尼——梵天的意生子——皆为清净梵行者（ūrdhva-retas）。

Synonyms

• śrī-bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• śrī-bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī + bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय-समास ‘śrīmān bhagavān’ (honorific)

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्) (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• svāyambhuva: O Svāyambhuva (descendant of Svāyambhuva Manu)
• svāyambhuva: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svāyambhuva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन/8), Singular (एकवचन); epithet ‘descendant of Svāyambhuva’

• brahma-satram: the Brahmā-satra (sacrificial session)
• brahma-satram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman + satra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास ‘brahmaṇaḥ satram’ (Brahmā’s sacrificial session)

• jana-loke: in Jana-loka
• jana-loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jana + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन); तत्पुरुष-समास (proper name)

• abhavat: occurred/was
• abhavat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू) (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• purā: formerly/once
• purā: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of time (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• tatra-sthānām: of those situated there
• tatra-sthānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tatra + sthāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); अव्ययीभाव-समास ‘tatra sthitāḥ’ → ‘those situated there’

• mānasānām: mind-born
• mānasānām: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mānasa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘mind-born/mental’ qualifying munīnām

• munīnām: of sages
• munīnām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ūrdhva-retasām: of the celibate (continent)
• ūrdhva-retasām: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrdhva + retas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन); बहुव्रीहि-समास ‘ūrdhvaṁ retaḥ yeṣām’ (those of upward semen; celibate) qualifying munīnām

Purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the word satram here refers to a Vedic sacrifice in which all the participants are equally qualified to serve as priests. In this instance, each of the sages present in Janaloka could speak equally well on the topic of Brahman.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Svāyambhuva)
• Mind-born sages (Mānasa munis)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Brahmā’s sacrifice in Janaloka?

This verse states that long ago a great sacrificial session (brahma-satra) of the self-born Brahmā took place in Janaloka, attended by exalted sages.

Who are the mānasa munis (mind-born sages) mentioned in Bhagavatam 10.87.9?

They are sages born from Brahmā’s mind—highly purified ascetics present at Brahmā’s sacrificial assembly in Janaloka.

What is a practical lesson from the term ūrdhva-retas in this verse?

It points to disciplined conservation and elevation of one’s life-energy through purity and self-control, supporting deep spiritual focus and devotion.