Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 16

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वाप्सरस: कामं वसन्तमलयानिलौ । मुनये प्रेषयामास रजस्तोकमदौ तथा ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

gandharvāpsarasaḥ kāmaṁ vasanta-malayānilau munaye preṣayām āsa rajas-toka-madau tathā

Translation

To ruin the sage’s spiritual practice, Lord Indra sent Cupid, beautiful celestial singers, dancing girls, the season of spring and the sandalwood-scented breeze from the Malaya Hills, along with greed and intoxication personified.

Synonyms

• गन्धर्व-अप्सरसः: the Gandharvas and Apsarases
• गन्धर्व-अप्सरसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (copulative), पुंलिङ्ग (समाहार/पुंवद्भाव), प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन

• कामम्: Kāma (Cupid)
• कामम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• वसन्त-मलय-अनिलौ: Spring and the Malaya breeze
• वसन्त-मलय-अनिलौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + मलय (प्रातिपदिक) + अनिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (वसन्तश्च मलयानिलश्च), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), द्विवचन

• मुनये: to the sage
• मुनये: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th case), एकवचन

• प्रेषयामास: sent
• प्रेषयामास: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रेष् (धातु) उपसर्ग-प्र + लिट्
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• रजः-तोक-मदौ: Rajas and Toka (and) Mada
• रजः-तोक-मदौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + तोक (प्रातिपदिक) + मद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व (रजश्च तोकश्च मदश्च इति; समाहार/युग्म-भाव), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), द्विवचन (पाठानुसार)

• तथा: also / likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Apsarās
• Kāma (Cupid)
• the sage (muni)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about overcoming lust and temptation?

This verse shows that even powerful temptations—sensual beauty, springtime allure, fragrant winds, and subtle passion—may be directed at a sage, implying that victory comes through steady austerity and mastery of the senses rather than external circumstances.

Why were Gandharvas, Apsaras, and Kama sent to the sage in this verse?

They were dispatched as agents of temptation to agitate the sage’s mind—using pleasure, desire, and intoxicating influences—to test or obstruct his spiritual focus and austerity.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Recognize how desire is amplified by environment and mood (seasons, music, sensual media), and respond with disciplined habits—regulated life, mindful boundaries, and devotion-centered practice—to keep the mind steady.