Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 2

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge

Devanagari script

श्रीभगवानुवाच भो भो ब्रह्मर्षिवर्योऽसि सिद्ध आत्मसमाधिना । मयि भक्त्यानपायिन्या तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca bho bho brahmarṣi-varyo ’si siddha ātma-samādhinā mayi bhaktyānapāyinyā tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ

Translation

至上主说：嗟乎，嗟乎！你确是诸婆罗门圣仙中最殊胜者。你以对至上灵（Paramātmā）的定慧而成就；又以对我不退转的奉爱、苦行、研习吠陀与严守戒律，使生命臻于圆满。

Synonyms

• śrī-bhagavān: the Blessed Lord
• śrī-bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya: śrī + bhagavān

• uvāca: said
• uvāca: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• bho: O!
• bho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bho (अव्यय/सम्बोधन-निपात)
• Form: Vocative particle (सम्बोधन-निपात)

• bho: O!
• bho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bho (अव्यय/सम्बोधन-निपात)
• Form: Vocative particle (सम्बोधन-निपात)

• brahmarṣi-varyaḥ: the best of brahmarṣis
• brahmarṣi-varyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmarṣi + varya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: brahmarṣiṇāṁ varyaḥ

• asi: you are
• asi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• siddha: O perfected one
• siddha: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: siddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); used as संबोधन-विशेषण

• ātma-samādhinā: by self-absorption (samādhi)
• ātma-samādhinā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman + samādhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: ātmani samādhiḥ

• mayi: in me
• mayi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhaktyā: by devotion
• bhaktyā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• anapāyinyā: unfailing
• anapāyinyā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anapāyinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with bhaktyā

• tapaḥ: by austerities
• tapaḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन) (in dvandva-instrumental with following members)

• svādhyāya: by self-study
• svādhyāya: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svādhyāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन) (coordinated)

• saṁyamaiḥ: by restraints
• saṁyamaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about perfection (siddhi) through bhakti and samadhi?

This verse states that true perfection is attained through deep self-absorption (ātma-samādhi) supported by unwavering devotion to the Lord, along with austerity, sacred study, and disciplined self-control.

Why does the Lord praise the brahmarshi as 'perfected' in this verse?

Because the sage has combined inner realization (samādhi) with steady devotion to the Lord and the classical disciplines of tapas, svādhyāya, and saṁyama—showing both realization and character.

Practical application of tapas, svadhyaya, and self-control in modern life?

Keep a steady daily sādhana: simple austerities (regulated habits), regular scripture study/chanting, and mindful restraint over senses—so devotion becomes consistent and non-deviating.