Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25

Nārada’s Arrival, the Nine Yogendras, and the Foundations of Bhāgavata-dharma

Devanagari script

तान् द‍ृष्ट्वा सूर्यसङ्काशान् महाभागवतान् नृप । यजमानोऽग्नयो विप्रा: सर्व एवोपतस्थिरे ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

tān dṛṣṭvā sūrya-saṅkāśān mahā-bhāgavatān nṛpa yajamāno ’gnayo viprāḥ sarva evopatasthire

Translation

大王啊，见到那些如日辉耀的至纯大奉献者，祭主、婆罗门，乃至祭火本身——众人皆起立恭敬以礼奉迎。

Synonyms

• tān: them
• tān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), indeclinable (अव्ययभाव)

• sūrya-saṅkāśān: sun-like, radiant
• sūrya-saṅkāśān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (उपमान-तत्पुरुष: ‘sun-like’), Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; qualifying tān

• mahā-bhāgavatān: great devotees (Bhāgavatas)
• mahā-bhāgavatān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāgavata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय: ‘great devotees’), Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; apposition to tān

• nṛpa: O king
• nṛpa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• yajamānaḥ: the patron of the sacrifice
• yajamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajamāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; ‘the sacrificer’

• agnayaḥ: the sacred fires
• agnayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• viprāḥ: the brāhmaṇas
• viprāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• upatasthire: stood near/attended
• upatasthire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (स्था धातु) + upa (उपसर्ग)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

Characters & Entities

• Mahārāja Nimi
• Nine Yogendras (Nine Great Devotees)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about honoring great devotees (mahā-bhāgavatas)?

This verse shows that even ritual authorities—the yajamāna, the sacred fires, and the brāhmaṇas—rise to honor exalted devotees, indicating that reverence to pure devotees is supremely auspicious and spiritually elevating.

Why did everyone at the sacrifice stand up when the Nine Yogendras arrived?

Because the Nine Yogendras were recognized as radiant, highly realized mahā-bhāgavatas; their spiritual potency and purity naturally inspired immediate respect and service from all present.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life for spiritual progress?

Seek saintly association, cultivate humility, and show practical respect—listening attentively, serving, and learning from sincere devotees—rather than relying only on external rituals or status.