Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 31

Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense

Devanagari script

महाभिषेकविधिना सर्वोपस्करसम्पदा । अभिषिच्याम्बराकल्पैर्गन्धमाल्यार्हणादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥ तद्गतान्तरभावेन पूजयामास केशवम् । ब्राह्मणांश्च महाभागान् सिद्धार्थानपि भक्तित: ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

mahābhiṣeka-vidhinā sarvopaskara-sampadā abhiṣicyāmbarākalpair gandha-mālyārhaṇādibhiḥ

Translation

Following the regulative principles of mahābhiṣeka, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa performed the bathing ceremony for the Deity of Lord Kṛṣṇa with all paraphernalia, and then he dressed the Deity with fine clothing, ornaments, fragrant flower garlands and other paraphernalia for worship of the Lord. With attention and devotion, he worshiped Kṛṣṇa and all the greatly fortunate brāhmaṇas who were free from material desires.

Synonyms

• mahā-bhiṣeka-vidhinā: by the rite of the great abhiṣeka
• mahā-bhiṣeka-vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + abhiṣeka (प्रातिपदिक) + vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/करण), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुष-समासः (mahān abhiṣekaḥ; tasya vidhinā)

• sarva-upaskara-sampadā: with all the requisite paraphernalia/wealth
• sarva-upaskara-sampadā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + upaskara (प्रातिपदिक) + sampad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (sarvāṇi upaskarāṇi; teṣāṁ sampadā)

• abhiṣicya: having anointed/bathed (him)
• abhiṣicya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abhi-√sic (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत्)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययीभावरूप कृदन्त (gerund/त्वा-न्त), क्रियापूर्वकत्वे (having bathed/anointed)

• ambara-ākalpaiḥ: with garments and ornaments/attire
• ambara-ākalpaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ambara (प्रातिपदिक) + ākalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental), बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (ambarāṇām ākalpaiḥ = with garments/attire)

• gandha-mālya-arhaṇa-ādibhiḥ: with perfumes, garlands, worship-offerings, etc.
• gandha-mālya-arhaṇa-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + mālya (प्रातिपदिक) + arhaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental), बहुवचनम्; ‘and so on’ indicated by ādi

Characters & Entities

• Keśava (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)
• Ambarīṣa Mahārāja (implied)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about mahābhiṣeka (ceremonial bathing) of the Lord?

This verse describes performing a grand abhiṣeka with complete worship paraphernalia, followed by offerings like garments, ornaments, fragrances, and garlands—showing reverent, methodical Deity worship as an expression of bhakti.

Why is Keśava worshiped with garments, ornaments, and fragrances in Bhagavatam?

Such offerings are acts of honor (arhaṇa) that express devotion through service—treating the Lord as the supreme person worthy of the best care and presentation.

How can this teaching be applied in modern devotional life?

Offer your best—cleanliness, sincerity, and regular worship—using whatever simple items you have, while keeping the heart absorbed in the Lord rather than in external show.