Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 2

Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship

Devanagari script

चन्दनागुरुतोयार्द्ररथ्याचत्वरमार्गवत् । पुष्पाक्षतफलैस्तोक्‍मैर्लाजैरर्चिर्भिरर्चितम् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

candanāguru-toyārdra- rathyā-catvara-mārgavat puṣpākṣata-phalais tokmair lājair arcirbhir arcitam

Translation

Fragrant water distilled from sandalwood and aguru herb was sprinkled everywhere on the lanes, roads and small parks throughout the city, and everywhere were decorations of unbroken fruits, flowers, wetted grains, varied minerals, and lamps, all presented as auspicious paraphernalia.

Synonyms

• चन्दन: with sandalwood
• चन्दन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; instrumental sense in compound context

• अगुरु: with agaru (aloeswood)
• अगुरु: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अगुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; instrumental sense in compound context

• तोय: with water
• तोय: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; instrumental sense in compound context

• आर्द्र: moistened, wet
• आर्द्र: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आर्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier) to implied 'नगरम्/मार्गः' contextually; used in compound as 'moistened'

• रथ्या: street
• रथ्या: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; in compound chain describing streets

• चत्वर: square, crossroads
• चत्वर: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चत्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; in compound chain

• मार्ग: road
• मार्ग: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; in compound chain

• वत्: like, as if
• वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वत् (प्रत्यय/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक (similative suffix/particle) = 'like/as'

• पुष्प: with flowers
• पुष्प: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; member of instrumental list

• अक्षत: with unbroken rice (akṣata)
• अक्षत: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; 'unbroken rice grains'

• फलैः: with fruits
• फलैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

• तोक्मैः: with seeds
• तोक्मैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोक्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; 'seeds/grains'

• लाजैः: with parched rice
• लाजैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; 'parched rice'

• अर्चिर्भिः: with lamps/flames
• अर्चिर्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्चिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; 'flames/lights'

• अर्चितम्: adorned/worshipped
• अर्चितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'having been worshipped/adorned'

Characters & Entities

• King Pṛthu

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about auspicious decorations during sacred ceremonies?

This verse describes roads and public places being sanctified with fragrant water, flowers, akṣata (unbroken rice), fruits, grains, and lamps—traditional auspicious items used to honor a holy occasion.

Why were the streets sprinkled with sandalwood and aguru water in King Pṛthu’s celebration?

To purify and auspiciously prepare the city for receiving and honoring King Pṛthu, expressing public reverence for a righteous ruler in harmony with dharma.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

It highlights intentional sacred preparation—cleanliness, fragrance, light, and offerings—as a way to cultivate reverence and devotion when welcoming saints, celebrating festivals, or beginning meaningful life events.