Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 9

The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā

Devanagari script

तस्य नाभे: समभवत् पद्मकोषो हिरण्मय: । तस्मिञ्जज्ञे महाराज स्वयम्भूश्चतुरानन: ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

tasya nābheḥ samabhavat padma-koṣo hiraṇmayaḥ tasmiñ jajñe mahārāja svayambhūś catur-ānanaḥ

Translation

噢，帕利克希特王！从至上主的脐中生出一朵金色莲华；在那莲华之上，自生的四面梵天诞生了。

Synonyms

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• nābheḥ: from (his) navel
• nābheḥ: Apādāna (अपादान/Ablative source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nābhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन); ‘from the navel’

• samabhavat: arose/came into being
• samabhavat: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada; with prefix sam-

• padma-koṣaḥ: a lotus-bud
• padma-koṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक) + koṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘lotus-bud/calyx’

• hiraṇmayaḥ: golden
• hiraṇmayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hiraṇmaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying padma-koṣaḥ

• tasmin: in that (lotus)
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• jajñe: was born
• jajñe: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jan (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); ātmanepada

• mahā-rāja: O great king
• mahā-rāja: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); संबोधन

• svayambhūḥ: the self-born (Brahmā)
• svayambhūḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svayam (अव्यय) + bhū (धातु) → svayambhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘self-born’ (one who is born by himself)

• catur-ānanaḥ: the four-faced one
• catur-ānanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catur (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + ānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); बहुव्रीहि: ‘four-faced’

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Svayambhū, Caturānana)
• The Supreme Lord (from whose navel the lotus appears)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Brahma’s birth from the lotus?

This verse states that a golden lotus-bud manifested from the Lord’s navel, and on that lotus the self-born, four-faced Brahmā took birth—showing Brahmā’s dependence on the Supreme Lord as the source of creation.

Why does Shukadeva Goswami describe the lotus from the Lord’s navel to King Parikshit?

He is establishing the Bhagavatam’s theistic cosmology: even the cosmic creator Brahmā originates from the Supreme Lord, reinforcing devotion (bhakti) to the ultimate source rather than to secondary powers.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Recognize the true source behind all abilities and achievements; cultivate humility and devotion by remembering that even the greatest “creators” operate by grace from the Supreme.