Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 30

Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti

Devanagari script

तावन्मृदङ्गपटहा: शङ्खभेर्यानकादय: । निनेदुर्नटनर्तक्यो ननृतुर्गायका जगु: ॥ ३० ॥

Transliteration

tāvan mṛdaṅga-paṭahāḥ śaṅkha-bhery-ānakādayaḥ ninedur naṭa-nartakyo nanṛtur gāyakā jaguḥ

Translation

Just then there were loud sounds of conchshells and mṛdaṅga, paṭaha, bherī and ānaka drums, as well as other instruments. Men and women began to dance, and singers began to sing.

Synonyms

• tāvat: then/at that time
• tāvat: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tāvat (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक/परिमाणवाचक अव्यय)

• mṛdaṅga-paṭahāḥ: mṛdaṅgas and paṭahas
• mṛdaṅga-paṭahāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdaṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + paṭaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; dvandva: 'drums and kettledrums'

• śaṅkha-bherī-ānaka-ādayaḥ: conches, bherīs, ānakas, etc.
• śaṅkha-bherī-ānaka-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + bherī (प्रातिपदिक) + ānaka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; enumerative dvandva with ādayaḥ: 'conches, kettle-drums, ānakas, etc.'

• nineduḥ: resounded
• nineduḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-nad (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• naṭa-nartakyaḥ: actors and dancers
• naṭa-nartakyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + nartakī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; dvandva: 'actors and female dancers'

• nanṛtuḥ: danced
• nanṛtuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

• gāyakāḥ: singers
• gāyakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• jaguḥ: sang
• jaguḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gai (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about devotional music and celebration in Krishna-lila?

This verse depicts auspicious instruments resounding along with singing and dancing, showing that sacred sound and joyful celebration naturally accompany the Lord’s pastimes and gatherings of devotees.

Why are instruments like conch, mṛdaṅga, and bherī mentioned in Bhagavatam festivals?

They signify a public, auspicious announcement of divine events—marking the atmosphere as sacred and celebratory, where devotion is expressed through sound, rhythm, and song.

Practical application of kīrtana and sacred sound in modern life?

Regularly include mantra-kīrtana or devotional singing in daily routine; it lifts the mind, creates sattvic joy, and turns ordinary time into a spiritually festive remembrance of Bhagavān.