Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 25

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मन्निदं समाख्यातं शाखाप्रणयनं मुने: । शिष्यशिष्यप्रशिष्याणां ब्रह्मतेजोविवर्धनम् ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

brahmann idaṁ samākhyātaṁ śākhā-praṇayanaṁ muneḥ śiṣya-śiṣya-praśiṣyāṇāṁ brahma-tejo-vivardhanam

Translation

婆罗门啊，我已详尽叙述大圣者毗耶娑如何开显并分布吠陀诸支派，以及其弟子与再传弟子的传承。虔听此叙述者，梵德之光与灵性力量必得增长。

Synonyms

• ब्रह्मन्: O brāhmaṇa (O sage)
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th case/vocative), एकवचन; संबोधनपदम्

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• समाख्यातम्: has been explained
• समाख्यातम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु) → समाख्यात (भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थक (described/expounded)

• शाखा-प्रणयनम्: the compilation/arrangement of the (Vedic) branches
• शाखा-प्रणयनम्: Apposition (विशेष्य-विशेषणभाव/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाखा (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रणयन (कृदन्त; धातु: प्र-नी)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (the arrangement/compilation of branches)

• मुनेः: of the sage
• मुनेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case/genitive), एकवचन

• शिष्य-शिष्य-प्रशिष्याणाम्: of the disciples, their disciples, and their disciples
• शिष्य-शिष्य-प्रशिष्याणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रशिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case/genitive), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (students, grand-students, great-grand-students)

• ब्रह्म-तेजः-विवर्धनम्: the enhancer of brahminical/spiritual splendor
• ब्रह्म-तेजः-विवर्धनम्: Apposition (विशेष्य-विशेषणभाव/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्धन (कृदन्त; धातु: वर्ध्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (बहुपद) तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्मतेजसः विवर्धनम्

Purport

Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Purāṇic Literatures.”

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Parīkṣit Mahārāja
• Vyāsa (the sage)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Vedic branches (śākhās)?

This verse states that the sage’s arrangement of Vedic branches was explained and that such organization strengthens the brahma-tejas (spiritual potency) of the disciplic line—disciples and their descendants.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī say this to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva concludes his explanation of how Vedic knowledge was systematized and preserved through teacher-disciple succession, assuring Parīkṣit that this transmission enhances spiritual strength across generations.

Practical application of paramparā (disciplic succession) in modern life?

Learn sacred teachings through authentic lineages and qualified teachers, study consistently, and pass on what you learn responsibly—so knowledge remains clear, potent, and transformative.