Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 33

Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow

Mathurā-līlā Prelude

Devanagari script

आनर्चु: पुरुषा रङ्गं तूर्यभेर्यश्च जघ्निरे । मञ्चाश्चालङ्कृता: स्रग्भि: पताकाचैलतोरणै: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

ānarcuḥ puruṣā raṅgaṁ tūrya-bheryaś ca jaghnire mañcāś cālaṅkṛtāḥ sragbhiḥ patākā-caila-toraṇaiḥ

Translation

The King’s men performed the ritual worship of the wrestling arena, sounded their drums and other instruments and decorated the viewing galleries with garlands, flags, ribbons and arches.

Synonyms

• ānarcuḥ: they honored / worshiped
• ānarcuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); परस्मैपद

• puruṣāḥ: men
• puruṣāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• raṅgam: the arena
• raṅgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tūrya-bheryaḥ: musical instruments and kettle-drums
• tūrya-bheryaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + bherī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग; समाहार/युग्म-निर्देश), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व ‘तूर्याणि च भेर्यश्च’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• jaghnire: they struck / sounded
• jaghnire: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √han (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); आत्मनेपद

• mañcāḥ: platforms / stands
• mañcāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mañca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• alaṅkṛtāḥ: decorated
• alaṅkṛtāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √kṛ with alam- prefix ‘to adorn’)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); भूतकृदन्त (PPP)

• sragbhiḥ: with garlands
• sragbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sraj (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• patākā-caila-toraṇaiḥ: with flags, cloths, and festoons/arches
• patākā-caila-toraṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patākā (प्रातिपदिक) + caila (प्रातिपदिक) + toraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग; समाहार-द्वन्द्व), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); समाहार-द्वन्द्व ‘पताकाश्च चैलानि च तोरणानि च’

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the preparations in Kaṁsa’s arena?

This verse describes how the arena was honored and readied with the sounding of drums and instruments, and how the platforms were adorned with garlands, flags, cloth hangings, and gateways.

Why were drums and musical instruments played in the arena at Mathurā?

They were played as part of the public, ceremonial preparations for the grand event in Kaṁsa’s arena, heightening the spectacle surrounding Kṛṣṇa’s arrival and the impending contest.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Offer your best arrangement and respectful preparation when hosting sacred events—let external order and beauty support inner reverence and focused attention.