Shloka 57

Pitāmaha-sabhā-varṇana & Hariścandra-māhātmya

Description of Brahmā’s Assembly and the Eminence of Hariścandra

Devanagari script

महाभागानमितधीर्त्रद्या लोकपितामह: । दयावान्‌ सर्वभूतेषु यथा प्रतिपद्यते

Transliteration

mahābhāgān amitadhīr adyā lokapitāmahaḥ | dayāvān sarvabhūteṣu yathā pratipadyate ||

Translation

那罗陀说道：“今日，诸世之主、祖父梵天——智量无边，悲悯一切众生——以合乎礼法之道接纳前来之高贵宾客，按其应有之分一一问候，并赐以恩泽。”

Word by Word

• महाभागान्: highly fortunate/noble (ones)
• महाभागान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• अमितधीः: one whose intellect is immeasurable
• अमितधीः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमितधी
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• त्रद्य: today/now (reading uncertain)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रद्य

• लोकपितामहः: the grandsire of the world (Brahmā)
• लोकपितामहः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोकपितामह
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दयावान्: compassionate
• दयावान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दयावत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वभूतेषु: among/in all beings
• सर्वभूतेषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वभूत
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• यथा: as, in the proper manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• प्रतिपद्यते: receives/greets/behaves toward
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + पद्
• Form: Present, 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Brahmā (Lokapitāmaha)
• Devas
• Daityas
• Nāgas
• Pakṣis (birds)
• Yakṣas
• Suparṇas
• Kāleyas
• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• Sarvabhūtas (all beings)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic conduct through impartial compassion and proper hospitality: an ideal leader (here Brahmā) honors all beings and receives guests according to propriety, combining wisdom with mercy.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada describes Brahmā’s court: many classes of beings—gods, demons, nāgas, celestial musicians, nymphs, and others—arrive as guests, and Brahmā welcomes and favors them appropriately.