Shloka 12

Description of the Rules for Charitable Gifts and Related Rites

Gaṅgā-māhātmya

Devanagari script

भेरीशंखमृदंगादिनिर्घोषान्स्रग्विभूषितान् । गन्धर्वदेहरुचिरान्दिव्यभोगसमन्वितान् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

bherīśaṃkhamṛdaṃgādinirghoṣānsragvibhūṣitān | gandharvadeharucirāndivyabhogasamanvitān || 12 ||

Translation

وكانوا متزيّنين بالأكاليل، تتعالى حولهم دويّاتُ البهيري والشنخا والمريدنغا، بأجسادٍ بهيّة كأجساد الغندرفا، ومُنعَمين بملاذّ سماوية.

Word by Word

• भेरीशङ्खमृदङ्गादिनिर्घोषान्: (having) sounds of drums, conches, mṛdaṅgas, etc.
• भेरीशङ्खमृदङ्गादिनिर्घोषान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेरी + शङ्ख + मृदङ्ग + आदि + निर्घोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; समासः (आदि-समुच्चयपूर्वकः) — ‘भेरी-शङ्ख-मृदङ्ग-आदि-निर्घोषाः’ (sounds of kettle-drum, conch, mṛdaṅga, etc.)

• स्रग्विभूषितान्: adorned with garlands
• स्रग्विभूषितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्रज्/स्रग् + विभूषित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (स्रजा विभूषितान् = adorned with garlands)

• गन्धर्वदेहरुचिरान्: beautiful-bodied like Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वदेहरुचिरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्धर्व + देह + रुचिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (गन्धर्वाणां देहाः रुचिराः येषाम्/गन्धर्वदेह-रुचिरान् = having beautiful gandharva-like bodies)

• दिव्यभोगसमन्वितान्: endowed with divine pleasures
• दिव्यभोगसमन्वितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिव्य + भोग + समन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (दिव्यैः भोगैः समन्वितान् = endowed with divine enjoyments)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga mahatmya description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Gandharva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It portrays the auspicious, heaven-like fruition (phala) of great merit—marked by sacred sounds, adornment, beauty, and divine enjoyments—typical of tirtha-mahatmya passages that motivate dharmic practice.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By emphasizing divine splendor and joy as outcomes of sacred acts, it supports the Purāṇic bhakti framework where devotion and dharma expressed through pilgrimage, worship, and praise culminate in elevated states and divine association.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual sound and auspicious markers are implied: the use of śaṅkha and percussion aligns with śrauta/smārta worship conventions (prayoga), pointing to applied ritual practice rather than a specific Vedāṅga doctrine.