Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 5

Satī at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice: Condemnation of Blasphemy and Voluntary Departure by Yoga-Fire

Devanagari script

तां सारिकाकन्दुकदर्पणाम्बुज श्वेतातपत्रव्यजनस्रगादिभि: । गीतायनैर्दुन्दुभिशङ्खवेणुभि- र्वृषेन्द्रमारोप्य विटङ्किता ययु: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tāṁ sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇāmbuja- śvetātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ gītāyanair dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhir vṛṣendram āropya viṭaṅkitā yayuḥ

Translation

The disciples of Lord Śiva arranged for Satī to be seated on the back of a bull and gave her the bird which was her pet. They bore a lotus flower, a mirror and all such paraphernalia for her enjoyment and covered her with a great canopy. Followed by a singing party with drums, conchshells and bugles, the entire procession was as pompous as a royal parade.

Synonyms

• tām: her
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇa-ambuja-śveta-ātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ: with parrots, balls, mirrors, lotuses, white parasols, fans, garlands, etc.
• sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇa-ambuja-śveta-ātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sārikā (प्रातिपदिक) + kanduka (प्रातिपदिक) + darpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ambuja (प्रातिपदिक) + śveta (प्रातिपदिक) + ātapatra (प्रातिपदिक) + vyajana (प्रातिपदिक) + sraj/srag (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Enumerative compound (समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चय) listing items; Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन) (ending -bhiḥ)

• gītāyanaiḥ: with songs/chanting
• gītāyanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gītāyana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhiḥ: with drums, conches, and flutes
• dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + veṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) ‘drums, conches, flutes’; Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• vṛṣendram: the chief bull (Nandin)
• vṛṣendram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• āropya: having mounted
• āropya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā+ruh (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), with prefix ā; ‘having mounted/placed upon’

• viṭaṅkitāḥ: adorned
• viṭaṅkitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṭaṅkita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन); ‘adorned/decorated’ (qualifies attendants)

• yayuḥ: went
• yayuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Satī
• Śiva (implied by the bull as his emblem/vehicle)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Satī’s journey to Dakṣa’s sacrifice?

This verse describes Satī being escorted with royal festivity—gifts, music, and honors—seated upon a fine bull as she proceeds toward Dakṣa’s yajña.

Why is Satī shown riding a bull in this verse?

The bull is closely associated with Lord Śiva (Nandī and the bull-emblem), so placing Satī on a bull highlights her connection to Śiva even as she goes toward the event that will become the setting for his insult.

What is a practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

External celebration and social honor do not guarantee inner harmony; one should remain discerning about where one is going and what values are being honored, not merely be carried by pomp.