Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 40

Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power

Devanagari script

रूपं तन्महदाश्चर्यं विचक्ष्यागतसाध्वस: । ननाम दण्डवद्भ‍ूमौ प्रहृष्टात्मा प्रजापति: ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

rūpaṁ tan mahad-āścaryaṁ vicakṣyāgata-sādhvasaḥ nanāma daṇḍavad bhūmau prahṛṣṭātmā prajāpatiḥ

Translation

见到至上人格神那宏伟、奇妙而光辉的形相，生主达克沙起初略感畏惧；继而心生大喜，便如杖般伏地（daṇḍavat）顶礼主。

Synonyms

• रूपम्: the form
• रूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम; विशेषणम्

• महत्: great
• महत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• आश्चर्यम्: wonderful, astonishing
• आश्चर्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आश्चर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• विचक्ष्य: having seen
• विचक्ष्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having seen’; उपसर्गः वि

• आगत: having come, arisen
• आगत: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• साध्वसः: fear, trembling
• साध्वसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साध्वस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘भय/त्रास’

• ननाम: bowed down
• ननाम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• दण्डवत्: like a staff; prostrate
• दण्डवत्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दण्डवत् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb of manner)

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• प्रहृष्टात्मा: with delighted heart
• प्रहृष्टात्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रहृष्ट + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय—‘प्रहृष्टः आत्मा यस्य’/‘प्रहृष्ट आत्मा’

• प्रजापतिः: Prajāpati
• प्रजापतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजापति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Dakṣa (Prajāpati)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 6.4.40 say about seeing the Lord’s form?

It shows that beholding the Lord’s wondrous form naturally awakens reverential awe and heartfelt joy, leading a devotee to surrender through full obeisance.

Why did Daksha offer dandavat pranam after the vision?

Because the divine manifestation was overwhelmingly majestic and astonishing; Daksha was struck with sādhvasa (reverent awe) and responded with complete submission.

How can this verse be applied in modern spiritual practice?

Cultivate humility and surrender—approach worship, mantra, and scripture with reverence, and let genuine gratitude express itself through respectful actions and devotion.