Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 8

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

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

पुराणलक्षणं ब्रह्मन् ब्रह्मर्षिभिर्निरूपितम् । श‍ृणुष्व बुद्धिमाश्रित्य वेदशास्त्रानुसारत: ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

purāṇa-lakṣaṇaṁ brahman brahmarṣibhir nirūpitam śṛṇuṣva buddhim āśritya veda-śāstrānusārataḥ

Translation

婆罗门啊，《普拉那》的特征已由诸位大梵仙依循吠陀圣典而加以阐明。请摄持慧心，专注聆听。

Synonyms

• पुराणलक्षणम्: the definition/characteristics of a Purāṇa
• पुराणलक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पुराणस्य लक्षणम्)

• ब्रह्मन्: O brāhmaṇa
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मर्षिभिः: by the Brahmarṣis
• ब्रह्मर्षिभिः: Karana (करण/instrument/agentive means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• निरूपितम्: defined/expounded
• निरूपितम्: Kriya (क्रिया/participial predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्-रूप् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थ (described/defined)

• शृणुष्व: listen
• शृणुष्व: Kriya (क्रिया/verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• बुद्धिम्: intelligence/understanding
• बुद्धिम्: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आश्रित्य: having relied on
• आश्रित्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/preceding action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-श्रि (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• वेदशास्त्रानुसारतः: in accordance with the Vedas and śāstras
• वेदशास्त्रानुसारतः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/adverbial locus-manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुसार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverb) formed with तसिल्/तस्-प्रत्यय: -तः; अर्थ: ‘अनुसारम्’ (in accordance with)

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the characteristics (lakshana) of a Purana?

This verse introduces that the defining features of a Purāṇa were established by great sages, and Śukadeva will explain them in line with the Vedas and authorized śāstras.

Why did Shukadeva Goswami say this to King Parikshit?

Parīkṣit was hearing the Bhāgavatam for liberation at the end of life, and Śukadeva prepares him by grounding the discussion in recognized scriptural standards for what a Purāṇa is.

Practical application: how should I study the Bhagavata Purana in modern life?

Study with discernment and humility—seeking explanations consistent with Vedic scripture and authentic tradition, rather than relying on speculation or isolated interpretations.