Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 35

Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti

Devanagari script

तमालोक्यासुरा: सर्वे कलसं चामृताभृतम् । लिप्सन्त: सर्ववस्तूनि कलसं तरसाहरन् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

tam ālokyāsurāḥ sarve kalasaṁ cāmṛtābhṛtam lipsantaḥ sarva-vastūni kalasaṁ tarasāharan

Translation

Upon seeing Dhanvantari carrying the jug of nectar, the demons, desiring the jug and its contents, immediately snatched it away by force.

Synonyms

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• आलोक्य: having seen
• आलोक्य: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Converb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ + लोक् (धातु) → आलोक्य (क्त्वान्त/अव्ययभाव)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), 'having seen'

• असुराः: the demons
• असुराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of असुराः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• कलसम्: the pot
• कलसम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• अमृत-आभृतम्: filled with nectar
• अमृत-आभृतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of कलसम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमृत (प्रातिपदिक) + आ + भृ (धातु) → आभृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः: 'अमृतम् आभृतम्/आनीतम् यस्मिन्' (brought/filled with nectar)

• लिप्सन्तः: desiring (to obtain)
• लिप्सन्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लिप्स् (धातु, desiderative of लभ्) → लिप्सन्त् (शतृ-कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; 'desiring to obtain'

• सर्व-वस्तूनि: all things (all valuables)
• सर्व-वस्तूनि: Karma (कर्म/Object of लिप्सन्तः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: 'सर्वाणि वस्तूनि'

• कलसम्: the pot
• कलसम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of अहरन्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तरसा: with haste, swiftly
• तरसा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (instrumental of manner)

• अहरन्: they carried off
• अहरन्: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Asuras
• Amṛta (nectar)

FAQs

Why did the asuras seize the amrita pot in Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse explains that upon seeing the nectar-filled pot, the asuras—driven by intense craving to possess it (and everything valuable)—snatched it away by force.

What does this shloka teach about greed during Samudra Manthan?

It highlights how uncontrolled desire (lipsā) leads to adharma—taking by force—showing that even sacred gains like amṛta can become causes of conflict when pursued selfishly.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam lesson in modern life?

Use it as a reminder to check possessiveness and entitlement: pursue goals through dharma, not through coercion or exploitation, and cultivate contentment and devotion over mere acquisition.