स वै पुंसां परो धर्मो

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

सः

saḥ

that

वै

vai

certainly, indeed

पुंसाम्

puṃsām

for all human beings / souls

परः

paraḥ

the supreme, the highest

धर्मः

dharmaḥ

occupation, religion, duty

यतः

yataḥ

by which

भक्तिः

bhaktiḥ

loving devotional service

अधोक्षजे

adhokṣaje

unto the Transcendent Lord (beyond sense perception)

अहैतुकी

ahaitukī

causeless, unmotivated by selfish gain

अप्रतिहता

apratihatā

uninterrupted, unimpeded

यया

yayā

by which

आत्मा

ātmā

the self, the soul

सुप्रसीदति

suprasīdati

becomes completely satisfied / fully content

Complete Translation

समस्त मनुष्यों के लिए वही परम धर्म है जिससे अधोक्षज (इन्द्रियातीत परम भगवान) के प्रति भक्ति प्राप्त होती है। ऐसी भक्ति निष्काम (अहैतुकी) और अबाधित (अप्रतिहता) होनी चाहिए, क्योंकि उसी से आत्मा पूर्ण रूप से संतुष्ट होती है।

Origin & History

Source: Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1, Chapter 2, Verse 6

Author: Veda Vyasa (spoken by Suta Goswami at Naimisharanya)

Period: Puranic

At the forest of Naimisharanya, the sage Saunaka and the assembled rishis, performing a long sacrifice for the welfare of the world, asked Suta Goswami to declare the essence of all scriptures — the one thing that is the ultimate good for all people in the age of Kali. In reply, Suta spoke this verse as the very foundation of the Bhagavata's teaching: that the supreme dharma is pure, causeless, unbroken devotion to the transcendent Lord, which alone fully satisfies the soul. It stands as the thesis of the entire Srimad Bhagavata.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo' teach?▼

It teaches that the highest dharma (duty or religion) for every human being is whatever leads to loving devotional service to the transcendent Lord, Adhokshaja — and that this devotion must be causeless and uninterrupted to truly satisfy the soul.

Where is this verse found?▼

It is from the Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1, Chapter 2, Verse 6, spoken by Suta Goswami to the sages assembled at Naimisharanya in answer to their question about the ultimate good for all people.

What do 'ahaituki' and 'apratihata' mean?▼

'Ahaituki' means causeless — devotion not motivated by any material gain or selfish desire. 'Apratihata' means uninterrupted — devotion that cannot be checked by any material condition. Together they describe the purest form of bhakti.

Who is Adhokshaja?▼

Adhokshaja is a name of the Supreme Lord (Vishnu/Krishna) meaning 'one who is beyond the reach of the material senses and mind' — the transcendent reality that can be known only through devotion.

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