Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 20

Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial

Devanagari script

यस्यात्मानुवशश्चेत्स्यात्सर्वे तद्वशगा इमे । लोका: सपाला यच्छन्ति सर्वे बलिमतन्द्रिता: ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

yasyātmānuvaśaś cet syāt sarve tad-vaśagā ime lokāḥ sapālā yacchanti sarve balim atandritāḥ

Translation

若国王之心完全自制，则其眷属与官吏皆归顺于他；诸省守亦无抗拒，按时奉上赋税如供献；更何况下属小吏与仆从。

Synonyms

• yasya: whose
• yasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• ātmā: self (mind)
• ātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• anuvaśaḥ: under control, obedient
• anuvaśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anuvaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate adjective to ātmā

• cet: if
• cet: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: cet (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/conditional (निपात)

• syāt: would be
• syāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Potential/Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

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

• tad: of him/that
• tad: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; used with vaśagāḥ (tad-vaśagāḥ)

• vaśagāḥ: subject to (his) control
• vaśagāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaśa-ga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: tad + vaśagāḥ = 'under his control'

• ime: these
• ime: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; deictic modifier

• lokāḥ: worlds
• lokāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• sa-pālāḥ: with their rulers/guardians
• sa-pālāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa + pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; अव्ययीभाव: sa- 'with' + pāla 'protectors/guardians'

• yacchanti: offer, give
• yacchanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yam (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• sarve: all
• sarve: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; reiterative modifier of lokāḥ

• balim: tribute, offering
• balim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• atandritāḥ: unwearied, diligently
• atandritāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-tandrita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; negated adjective

Purport

Aṅgirā Ṛṣi asked the King whether his mind was also under control. This is most essential for happiness.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about controlling the mind and senses?

This verse teaches that when a person brings the self (mind and senses) under control, everything else becomes manageable—so much so that even the rulers of the worlds are said to offer respect and tribute.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize self-control in Canto 6 Chapter 14?

In the context of Canto 6, the narration highlights how true strength is inner mastery; Śukadeva points to self-control as the foundation of spiritual steadiness amid worldly upheavals and suffering.

What is a practical application of this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Practice daily restraint—regulated habits, mindful speech, and disciplined devotion (sādhana)—because mastering one’s impulses reduces anxiety and makes one effective and respected in responsibilities.