Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 61

Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka

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Devanagari script

पय:फेननिभा: शय्या दान्ता रुक्‍मपरिच्छदा: । आसनानि महार्हाणि यत्र रौक्‍मा उपस्करा: ॥ ६१ ॥

Transliteration

payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ śayyā dāntā rukma-paricchadāḥ āsanāni mahārhāṇi yatra raukmā upaskarāḥ

Translation

Im Palast waren die Lager weiß wie Milchschaum und überaus weich. Die Betten bestanden aus Elfenbein und waren mit Gold verziert; auch Stühle, Bänke und das übrige Mobiliar waren aus Gold und von höchstem Wert.

Synonyms

• पयः: milk
• पयः: None (अकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग), अव्यक्त-विभक्ति (समासपूर्वपद)

• फेन: foam
• फेन: None (अकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फेन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग), अव्यक्त-विभक्ति (समासपूर्वपद)

• निभाः: resembling (milk-foam)
• निभाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पयःफेनस्य निभाः = like milk-foam)

• शय्याः: beds
• शय्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• दान्ताः: soft/pliant, well-prepared
• दान्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (कृदन्त; √दम् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘शय्याः’ (well-tamed/softened)

• रुक्म: gold
• रुक्म: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुक्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग), अव्यक्त-विभक्ति (समासपूर्वपद)

• परिच्छदाः: furnishings/coverings
• परिच्छदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (रुक्मस्य परिच्छदाः)

• आसनानि: seats
• आसनानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• महार्हाणि: very valuable
• महार्हाणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (पूर्वपद) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान्ति अर्हाणि = very precious)

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सम्बन्ध/स्थानवाचक (relative adverb: where)

• रौक्माः: golden
• रौक्माः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रौक्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; adjective to ‘उपस्कराः’ (golden)

• उपस्कराः: utensils/equipment, accessories
• उपस्कराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपस्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Maharaja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about royal opulence in the story of Dhruva Maharaja?

This verse describes extraordinary royal comforts—beds, seats, and furnishings made with ivory and gold—showing the prosperity surrounding Dhruva, while the broader narrative emphasizes devotion over attachment to luxury.

Why does Shukadeva Gosvami describe the palace furnishings in Canto 4 Chapter 9?

He illustrates the grandeur of Dhruva Maharaja’s situation after his spiritual success, setting the contrast between material splendor and the devotee’s higher focus on the Lord.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Even if one has comfort and wealth, the Bhagavatam’s lesson is to use resources responsibly and remain inwardly detached—keeping devotion and character as the true measure of success.