Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 18

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

तदाश्रमपदं पुण्यं पुण्यद्रुमलताञ्चितम् । पुण्यद्विजकुलाकीर्णं पुण्यामलजलाशयम् ॥ १८ ॥ मत्तभ्रमरसङ्गीतं मत्तकोकिलकूजितम् । मत्तबर्हिनटाटोपं मत्तद्विजकुलाकुलम् ॥ १९ ॥ वायु: प्रविष्ट आदाय हिमनिर्झरशीकरान् । सुमनोभि: परिष्वक्तो ववावुत्तम्भयन् स्मरम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

tad-āśrama-padaṁ puṇyaṁ puṇya-druma-latāñcitam puṇya-dvija-kulākīrṇaṁ puṇyāmala-jalāśayam

Translation

Groves of pious trees decorated the holy āśrama of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, and many saintly brāhmaṇas lived there, enjoying the abundant pure, sacred ponds. The āśrama resounded with the buzzing of intoxicated bees and the cooing of excited cuckoos, while jubilant peacocks danced about. Indeed, many families of maddened birds crowded that hermitage. The springtime breeze sent by Lord Indra entered there, carrying cooling drops of spray from nearby waterfalls. Fragrant from the embrace of forest flowers, that breeze entered the hermitage and began evoking the lusty spirit of Cupid.

Synonyms

• तत्-आश्रम-पदम्: that hermitage-site
• तत्-आश्रम-पदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तस्य आश्रमस्य पदम्/स्थानम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• पुण्यम्: holy
• पुण्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (पदम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• पुण्य-द्रुम-लता-अञ्चितम्: adorned with sacred trees and creepers
• पुण्य-द्रुम-लता-अञ्चितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + द्रुम (प्रातिपदिक) + लता (प्रातिपदिक) + अञ्चित (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पुण्याः द्रुमलताः यैः अञ्चितम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (adorned)

• पुण्य-द्विज-कुल-आकीर्णम्: filled with holy flocks of birds
• पुण्य-द्विज-कुल-आकीर्णम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक) + आकीर्ण (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (पुण्यं द्विजकुलं येन आकीर्णम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (filled)

• पुण्य-अमल-जल-आशयम्: having reservoirs of pure, sacred water
• पुण्य-अमल-जल-आशयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अमल (प्रातिपदिक) + जल (प्रातिपदिक) + आशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (पुण्यं अमलं जलं यस्य आशयः), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (पदम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the qualities of a sacred āśrama?

It describes a true sacred hermitage as one beautified by pure nature (holy trees and creepers), sanctified waters, and—most importantly—populated by saintly, disciplined brāhmaṇas and sages.

Why is Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s hermitage described in such detail?

Śukadeva presents the hermitage’s holiness to set the scene for Mārkaṇḍeya’s profound spiritual experience—showing that such revelations arise in places elevated by purity and saintly presence.

How can a devotee apply the idea of a “sacred place” in modern life?

Create a clean, sāttvika space for sādhana, keep uplifting company, and center daily life around purity, scripture, and devotional practices—turning one’s home and mind into an āśrama-like refuge.