Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 10

Nārada Instructs Dakṣa’s Sons; Allegory of the World; Dakṣa Curses Nārada

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच तन्निशम्याथ हर्यश्वा औत्पत्तिकमनीषया । वाच: कूटं तु देवर्षे: स्वयं विममृशुर्धिया ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca tan niśamyātha haryaśvā autpattika-manīṣayā vācaḥ kūṭaṁ tu devarṣeḥ svayaṁ vimamṛśur dhiyā

Translation

圣舒迦提婆·高斯瓦米说：听到天仙圣者那罗陀牟尼含蓄奥秘的话语后，哈利亚什瓦们不借助他人，凭自身天赋的智慧加以思惟。

Synonyms

• श्री-शुकः: Śrī Śuka
• श्री-शुकः: Karta (कर्ता/वक्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीशुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (श्रीः + शुकः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• तत्: that (speech/statement)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• निशम्य: having heard
• निशम्य: Kriya (पूर्वक्रिया/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-शम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive), अव्ययभाव; अर्थः—‘श्रुत्वा/सम्यक् श्रुत्वा’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/सम्बन्धसूचक (particle: then/now)

• हर्यश्वाः: the Haryaśvas
• हर्यश्वाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर्यश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• औत्पत्तिक-मनीषया: by innate intelligence
• औत्पत्तिक-मनीषया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औत्पत्तिकमनीषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (औत्पत्तिकी मनीषा)

• वाचः: of the words/speech
• वाचः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• कूटम्: the hidden meaning / riddle
• कूटम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक (particle: but/indeed)

• देवर्षेः: of the divine sage
• देवर्षेः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवर्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (देव + ऋषि)

• स्वयम्: themselves
• स्वयम्: Karta (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मकर्तृत्व/स्वतन्त्रता-सूचक (adverb: themselves)

• विममृशुः: they reflected/considered
• विममृशुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-मृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• धिया: with (their) intellect
• धिया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Haryaśvas
• Nārada Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about understanding the hidden meaning of a guru’s words?

This verse highlights that sincere students should thoughtfully reflect on a saint’s instructions, grasping the deeper intent (kūṭa-artha) beyond the literal phrasing.

Why did the Haryaśvas reflect on Nārada Muni’s words?

Because Nārada spoke with profound, indirect intent, and the Haryaśvas—naturally insightful—considered his message carefully to understand its deeper spiritual direction.

Practical application of discernment (viveka) from this shloka in modern life?

When receiving spiritual guidance, avoid impulsive reactions—pause, contemplate the purpose behind the instruction, and align your decisions with lasting spiritual benefit rather than short-term goals.