Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8

The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

प्रीताश्चाप्सरसोऽनृत्यन्गन्धर्वप्रवरा जगु: । तुष्टुवुर्मुनयो देवा मनव: पितरोऽग्नय: ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

prītāś cāpsaraso ’nṛtyan gandharva-pravarā jaguḥ tuṣṭuvur munayo devā manavaḥ pitaro ’gnayaḥ

Translation

Being very pleased, the celestial dancing girls [Apsarās] danced in jubilation, the best of the Gandharvas sang songs, and the great sages, demigods, Manus, Pitās and fire-gods offered prayers to satisfy the Lord.

Synonyms

• prītāḥ: pleased
• prītāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prī (धातु) → prīta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Kta (क्त) past passive participle; Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-avyaya (conjunction/समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• apsarasaḥ: Apsarases
• apsarasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apsaras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (feminine/स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• anṛtyan: danced
• anṛtyan: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√nṛt / √nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Laṅ (Imperfect/लङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• gandharva-pravarāḥ: the foremost Gandharvas
• gandharva-pravarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva (प्रातिपदिक) + pravara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Karmadhāraya (कर्मधारय) compound; Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• jaguḥ: sang
• jaguḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √stu (धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• manavaḥ: Manus
• manavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• pitaraḥ: the forefathers (Pitṛs)
• pitaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

• agnayaḥ: fires (Agni-deities)
• agnayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masculine/पुंलिङ्ग), Prathamā (nominative/प्रथमा) Bahuvacana (plural/बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Apsarās
• Gandharvas
• Munis (sages)
• Devas
• Manus
• Pitṛs
• Agnis (fire-gods)

FAQs

Why do the Apsarās and Gandharvas celebrate in the Vāmana episode of the Srimad Bhagavatam?

Because the Lord’s divine plan is unfolding through Vāmana—restoring cosmic order—so celestial beings respond with dance, song, and praise.

Who is speaking Srimad Bhagavatam 8.18.8 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while describing the events surrounding Vāmana’s approach to Bali.

How can devotees apply the message of Bhagavatam 8.18.8 in modern life?

Cultivate gratitude and devotion by regularly glorifying the Lord—through kīrtana, prayer, and remembrance—especially when dharma is being protected or restored.