Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 49

Śrī Rāmacandra-avatāra — Vow, Exile, Laṅkā-vijaya, and Rāma-rājya

Concise Bhāgavata Account

Devanagari script

एवं कृतशिर:स्‍नान: सुवासा: स्रग्व्यलङ्‍कृत: । स्वलङ्‍कृतै: सुवासोभिर्भ्रातृभिर्भार्यया बभौ ॥ ४९ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaḥ suvāsāḥ sragvy-alaṅkṛtaḥ svalaṅkṛtaiḥ suvāsobhir bhrātṛbhir bhāryayā babhau

Translation

Lord Rāmacandra, fully bathed and His head clean-shaven, dressed Himself very nicely and was decorated with a garland and ornaments. Thus He shone brightly, surrounded by His brothers and wife, who were similarly dressed and ornamented.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb ‘thus/in this manner’)

• कृत-शिरः-स्नानः: having performed head-bath (ritual bath)
• कृत-शिरः-स्नानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु + क्त, कृदन्त) + शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘one whose head-bath has been done’

• सुवासाः: well-dressed
• सुवासाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/पूर्वपद) + वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘well-clothed’

• स्रग्वी-अलङ्कृतः: adorned with garlands
• स्रग्वी-अलङ्कृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्रग्विन्/स्रग्वी (प्रातिपदिक) + अलङ्कृत (अलङ्कृ धातु + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘adorned, wearing garlands’

• स्व-अलङ्कृतैः: with (others) well-adorned
• स्व-अलङ्कृतैः: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अलङ्कृत (अलङ्कृ धातु + क्त, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘by/with those well-adorned (ones)’

• सुवासोभिः: with well-clad (companions)
• सुवासोभिः: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुवासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural ‘with well-dressed (ones)’

• भ्रातृभिः: with brothers
• भ्रातृभिः: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• भार्यया: with (his) wife
• भार्यया: Sahakari (सहकारी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• बभौ: shone, appeared splendid
• बभौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परिपूर्णभूत), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘shone/appeared splendid’

FAQs

What is the meaning of head-bath (śiraḥ-snān) in Srimad Bhagavatam?

In this verse, śiraḥ-snān indicates a purificatory, auspicious bath—signifying readiness for a sacred or important dharmic occasion.

Why does Srimad Bhagavatam describe fine clothes and garlands in devotional narratives?

Such details highlight auspiciousness, purity, and honor, showing how dharmic life expresses inner respect through clean, beautiful presentation.

How can this shloka be applied in modern life?

Before important spiritual or family duties, practice cleanliness, simplicity, and respectful appearance—cultivating inner and outer order and harmony.