Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 16

The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

कमण्डलुं वेदगर्भ: कुशान्सप्तर्षयो ददु: । अक्षमालां महाराज सरस्वत्यव्ययात्मन: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

kamaṇḍaluṁ veda-garbhaḥ kuśān saptarṣayo daduḥ akṣa-mālāṁ mahārāja sarasvaty avyayātmanaḥ

Translation

O König, Brahmā, der Veda-garbha, überreichte dem unerschöpflichen Herrn ein kamandalu, das Wassergefäß. Die sieben Weisen gaben kuśa-Gras, und Mutter Sarasvatī schenkte eine akṣamālā, ein Rudrākṣa-Gebetsband.

Synonyms

• कमण्डलुम्: a water-pot
• कमण्डलुम्: कर्म (Karma/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमण्डलु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• वेदगर्भः: Veda-garbha (Brahmā)
• वेदगर्भः: कर्ता (Karta/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: वेदस्य गर्भः

• कुशान्: kuśa grasses
• कुशान्: कर्म (Karma/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सप्तर्षयः: the seven sages
• सप्तर्षयः: कर्ता (Karta/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); द्विगु-समास: सप्त ऋषयः

• ददुः: gave
• ददुः: क्रिया (Verb/action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural), परस्मैपद

• अक्षमालाम्: a rosary (garland of beads)
• अक्षमालाम्: कर्म (Karma/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: अक्षाणां माला

• महाराज: O great king
• महाराज: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारय: महान् राजा

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वती: कर्ता (Karta/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अव्ययात्मनः: of the imperishable-souled (one)
• अव्ययात्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation; qualifies recipient)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहि: अव्ययः आत्मा यस्य (of him whose self is imperishable)

Characters & Entities

• Vedagarbha
• Saptarṣi (Seven Sages)
• Sarasvatī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit
• Vāmana Deva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the items offered to Vāmana Deva?

This verse states that exalted beings offered Vāmana sacred items: a kamaṇḍalu (water-pot), kuśa grass, and an akṣamālā (rosary), honoring Him according to Vedic custom before His encounter with Bali.

Why did sages and Sarasvatī offer gifts to Vāmana?

In the narrative of Vāmana’s appearance, the devas and sages recognize the Lord’s divine mission and formally worship Him with ritual implements, preparing Him as a brāhmaṇa-guest and sacred presence.

How can this teaching be applied in modern devotional life?

Offer your best—cleanliness, sincerity, and tools that support devotion (like japa beads, sacred study, and simple worship)—remembering that honoring the Lord and His service is more important than display.