Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

ततश्चाप्सरसो जाता निष्ककण्ठ्य: सुवासस: । रमण्य: स्वर्गिणां वल्गुगतिलीलावलोकनै: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

tataś cāpsaraso jātā niṣka-kaṇṭhyaḥ suvāsasaḥ ramaṇyaḥ svargiṇāṁ valgu- gati-līlāvalokanaiḥ

Translation

Next there appeared the Apsarās [who are used as prostitutes on the heavenly planets]. They were fully decorated with golden ornaments and lockets and were dressed in fine and attractive clothing. The Apsarās move very slowly in an attractive style that bewilders the inhabitants of the heavenly planets.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय, temporal adverb

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, conjunction

• apsarasaḥ: Apsarases (celestial nymphs)
• apsarasaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apsaras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nom/1st), बहुवचन

• jātāḥ: were born/arose
• jātāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; agrees with ‘apsarasaḥ’

• niṣka-kaṇṭhyaḥ: wearing golden necklaces
• niṣka-kaṇṭhyaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣka (प्रातिपदिक) + kaṇṭhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (Tatpuruṣa: ‘having niṣka-necklaces/with golden torques’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; qualifies ‘apsarasaḥ’

• su-vāsasaḥ: beautifully dressed
• su-vāsasaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + vāsas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (Karmadhāraya: ‘well-clad’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; qualifies ‘apsarasaḥ’

• ramaṇyaḥ: charming
• ramaṇyaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramaṇīya/ramaṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; qualifies ‘apsarasaḥ’

• svargiṇām: of the denizens of heaven
• svargiṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svargin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Gen/6th), बहुवचन

• valgu-gati-līlā-avalokanaiḥ: with graceful movements, play, and glances
• valgu-gati-līlā-avalokanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: valgu (प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक) + līlā (प्रातिपदिक) + avalokana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ समास (copulative listing: ‘graceful movements, playful gestures, glances’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (collective sense) / instrumental plural form, तृतीया (Instr/3rd), बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Apsarās
• Svargī (denizens of Svarga)

FAQs

Who are the Apsarās mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam 8.8.7?

They are celestial nymphs who emerged during the churning of the Milk Ocean, renowned for beauty, graceful movement, and enchanting glances that captivate the residents of heaven.

What is the significance of the Apsarās appearing during Samudra Manthana?

Their appearance highlights how the churning yields both alluring and distracting results, reminding seekers that even heavenly beauty can become an obstacle if one becomes attached.

Practical application: what does this verse teach about dealing with attraction in modern life?

It teaches vigilance: charm and glamour can captivate the mind, so one should cultivate inner discipline and devotion to stay focused on higher spiritual goals rather than fleeting allure.