Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19

Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise

Devanagari script

कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रवनर्द्धिभि: । नलिनीषु कलं कूजत्खगवृन्दोपशोभितम् ॥ १९ ॥ मृगै: शाखामृगै: क्रोडैर्मृगेन्द्रैर्ऋ क्षशल्यकै: । गवयै: शरभैर्व्याघ्रै रुरुभिर्महिषादिभि: ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

kumudotpala-kahlāra- śatapatra-vanarddhibhiḥ nalinīṣu kalaṁ kūjat- khaga-vṛndopaśobhitam

Translation

There are different kinds of lotus flowers, such as kumuda, utpala and śatapatra. The forest appears to be a decorated garden, and the small lakes are full of various kinds of birds who whisper very sweetly. There are many kinds of other animals also, like deer, monkeys, boars, lions, ṛkṣas, śalyakas, forest cows, forest asses, tigers, small deer, buffalo and many other animals, who are fully enjoying their lives.

Synonyms

• कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रवनर्द्धिभिः: with the luxuriant growth of groves of kumuda, utpala, kahlāra and śatapatra lotuses
• कुमुदोत्पलकह्लारशतपत्रवनर्द्धिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमुद-उत्पल-कह्लार-शतपत्र-वन-ऋद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ-समास: (कुमुदानि च उत्पलानि च कह्लाराणि च शतपत्राणि च) तेषां वनस्य ऋद्धयः; instrumental plural ‘by/with the luxuriance of groves of …’

• नलिनीषु: in the lotus-ponds
• नलिनीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नलिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), बहुवचन; locative plural ‘in the lotus-ponds’

• कलम्: sweetly (softly)
• कलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; adverbial-accusative sense ‘sweetly/softly’ (qualifying kūjat)

• कूजत्: chirping
• कूजत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूजत् (कृदन्त; √कूज् (धातु) + शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (समासे पदान्त-रूप); वर्तमानकर्तरि कृदन्त (present active participle) ‘cooing/chirping’ (qualifying खगवृन्द)

• खगवृन्दोपशोभितम्: adorned by flocks of birds
• खगवृन्दोपशोभितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खग-वृन्द-उपशोभित (कृदन्त; √शुभ् (धातु) + उपसर्ग उप + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; खगानां वृन्देन उपशोभितम् = adorned by flocks of birds; past passive participle

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the beauty of sacred places and nature?

This verse portrays holy surroundings—lotus-filled lakes and melodious birds—as spiritually elevating and naturally auspicious, reflecting the purity connected with dharma and devotion.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing lotus lakes and birds here in Canto 4?

He is setting the scene with a vivid sacred landscape, emphasizing the sanctity and auspicious atmosphere surrounding the events of the narrative in this chapter.

How can a devotee apply this teaching in modern life?

Seek uplifting environments—temples, tīrthas, or serene natural settings—and use them to steady the mind in remembrance, prayer, and sādhana.