Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 24

Karma-vāda Critiqued, Varṇāśrama Reframed, and the Soul’s Distinction from the Body

Devanagari script

स्वपुण्योपचिते शुभ्रे विमान उपगीयते । गन्धर्वैर्विहरन् मध्ये देवीनां हृद्यवेषधृक् ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

sva-puṇyopacite śubhre vimāna upagīyate gandharvair viharan madhye devīnāṁ hṛdya-veṣa-dhṛk

Translation

Having achieved the heavenly planets, the performer of ritualistic sacrifices travels in a glowing airplane, which he obtains as the result of his piety on earth. Being glorified by songs sung by the Gandharvas and dressed in wonderfully charming clothes, he enjoys life surrounded by heavenly goddesses.

Synonyms

• स्व-पुण्य-उपचिते: in (a) accumulated-by-own-merit (vehicle)
• स्व-पुण्य-उपचिते: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + उपचित (चि धातु + क्त कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (स्वपुण्येन उपचित), क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; Locative singular qualifying विमाने

• शुभ्रे: bright; pure
• शुभ्रे: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; Locative singular; agreeing with विमाने

• विमाने: in an aerial car (vimāna)
• विमाने: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; Locative singular

• उपगीयते: is sung (praised)
• उपगीयते: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-गै (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive): is sung/praised

• गन्धर्वैः: by Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वैः: कर्ता (Agent in passive/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• विहरन्: roaming; sporting
• विहरन्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-हृ (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; present participle: roaming

• मध्ये: in the midst
• मध्ये: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन; Locative singular

• देवीनाम्: of the goddesses
• देवीनाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन; Genitive plural

• हृद्य-वेष-धृक्: wearing charming attire
• हृद्य-वेष-धृक्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वेष (प्रातिपदिक) + धृ (धातु) + क्विप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (हृद्यः वेषः यस्य/हृद्यवेषं धारयति), क्विपन्त कृदन्त (धृक्); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Devīs

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the results of punya (pious deeds)?

This verse describes that accumulated piety can elevate one to heavenly enjoyment—such as a radiant vimāna and praise by Gandharvas—indicating tangible but worldly (temporary) rewards of karma.

Why is a person described as being praised by Gandharvas in a celestial airplane?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is illustrating the kind of refined, heavenly honor and pleasure that can come from great piety—celebrated by celestial musicians and enjoyed among divine beings.

What is the practical application of this verse in modern life?

It reminds a seeker that good actions bring pleasant results, yet such rewards remain within the realm of enjoyment; therefore, one should use virtue as a foundation and also pursue lasting spiritual liberation through bhakti and higher wisdom.