Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23

Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture

Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict

Devanagari script

परार्ध्यवास:स्रग्गन्धधूपदीपासनादिभि: । पानभोजनभक्ष्यैश्च वाक्यै: शुश्रूषणार्चित: ॥ २३ ॥ गूढ: कन्यापुरे शश्वत्प्रवृद्धस्‍नेहया तया । नाहर्गणान् स बुबुधे ऊषयापहृतेन्द्रिय: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

parārdhya-vāsaḥ-srag-gandha- dhūpa-dīpāsanādibhiḥ pāna-bhojana-bhakṣyaiś ca vākyaiḥ śuśrūṣaṇārcitaḥ

Translation

Ūṣā worshiped Aniruddha with faithful service, offering Him priceless garments, along with garlands, fragrances, incense, lamps, sitting places and so on. She also offered Him beverages, all types of food, and sweet words. As He thus remained hidden in the young ladies’ quarters, Aniruddha did not notice the passing of the days, for His senses were captivated by Ūṣā, whose affection for Him ever increased.

Synonyms

• परार्ध्य: with most excellent/costly
• परार्ध्य: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परार्ध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया (करण) विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (instrumental plural neuter used adjectivally)

• वासः: garments
• वासः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (वस्त्रैः = by garments)

• स्रक्: garlands
• स्रक्: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (स्रग्भिः = by garlands)

• गन्ध: fragrances
• गन्ध: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (गन्धैः = by perfumes)

• धूप: incense
• धूप: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (धूपैः = by incense)

• दीप: lamps
• दीप: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (दीपैः = by lamps)

• आसन: seats
• आसन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (आसनैः = by seats)

• आदिभिः: and other such (things)
• आदिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; ‘आदि’ = etc., ‘आदिभिः’ = and the like (instrumental plural)

• पान: drinks
• पान: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (पानैः = by drinks)

• भोजन: meals
• भोजन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (भोजनैः = by meals)

• भक्ष्यैः: eatables
• भक्ष्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (भक्ष्यैः = by eatables/delicacies)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• वाक्यैः: with words
• वाक्यैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (वाक्यैः = by words/speeches)

• शुश्रूषण: service
• शुश्रूषण: Hetu/Upāya (हेतु/उपाय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुश्रूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्; समासे पूर्वपदम् (service/attendance)

• अर्चितः: was honored
• अर्चितः: Karta (कर्ता) / Predicative (विशेष्य-विशेषणभावः)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘अर्चितः’ = honored/worshipped

Characters & Entities

• Aniruddha
• Ūṣā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving a loved one with devotion and care?

This verse describes attentive service through offerings—comfort, food, and kind speech—showing how affection naturally expresses itself as honoring and caring for the beloved.

Why was Aniruddha honored with gifts, food, and sweet words in Canto 10 Chapter 62?

Because Ūṣā, deeply attached to him, kept him concealed and lovingly served him, treating him with royal comforts and respectful attention.

Practical application of seva (service) in modern life according to this verse?

Offer care through practical support—thoughtful hospitality, nourishment, and gentle speech—making service a sincere expression of love and respect.