Shloka 12

Nārada’s Past Life, the Lord’s Brief Vision, and the Power of Kīrtana

Devanagari script

चित्रधातुविचित्राद्रीनिभभग्नभुजद्रुमान् । जलाशयाञ्छिवजलान्नलिनी: सुरसेविता: । चित्रस्वनै: पत्ररथैर्विभ्रमद्भ्रमरश्रिय: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

citra-dhātu-vicitrādrīn ibha-bhagna-bhuja-drumān jalāśayāñ chiva-jalān nalinīḥ sura-sevitāḥ citra-svanaiḥ patra-rathair vibhramad bhramara-śriyaḥ

Translation

Ich zog durch Hügel und Berge, bunt geschmückt mit allerlei Erzen wie Gold, Silber und Kupfer, und durch Gegenden mit vielen Wasserbecken voll reinen Wassers. Dort blühten schöne Lotosblumen, den Himmelsbewohnern würdig, umschwärmt von betörten Bienen und begleitet vom Gesang der Vögel.

Synonyms

• citra-dhātu-vicitra-adrīn: variegated mountains with colorful minerals
• citra-dhātu-vicitra-adrīn: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक) + dhātu (प्रातिपदिक) + vicitra (प्रातिपदिक) + adri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (विशेषण-विशेष्यभावः), ‘चित्रधातुभिः विचित्राः अद्रयः’ इति

• ibha-bhagna-bhuja-drumān: trees with branches broken by elephants
• ibha-bhagna-bhuja-drumān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ibha (प्रातिपदिक) + bhagna (कृदन्त, √bhaj/भञ्ज्) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक) + druma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः, ‘इभेन भग्नाः भुजद्रुमाः’ (elephant-broken arm-like trees)

• jalāśayān: lakes/ponds
• jalāśayān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jalāśaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• śiva-jalān: pure waters
• śiva-jalān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + jala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; समासः—कर्मधारयः, ‘शिवं जलं येषां ते’ (pure/auspicious waters)

• nalinīḥ: lotus-plants
• nalinīḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nalinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• sura-sevitāḥ: frequented by the gods
• sura-sevitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक) + sevita (कृदन्त, √sev/सेव्, क्त)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषणम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः, ‘सुरैः सेविताः’

• citra-svanaiḥ: with varied sounds
• citra-svanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: citra (प्रातिपदिक) + svana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—कर्मधारयः, ‘चित्राः स्वनाः’

• patra-rathaiḥ: by birds
• patra-rathaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patra (प्रातिपदिक) + ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः, ‘पत्रैः रथाः’ (wings as chariots) = birds

• vibhramat: wandering about
• vibhramat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √bhram (भ्रम्) + vi- (उपसर्ग) (शतृ/वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; ‘विभ्रमन्तः’ (sandhi-reduced form)

• bhramara-śriyaḥ: the charming bees
• bhramara-śriyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhramara (प्रातिपदिक) + śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः, ‘भ्रमराणां श्रियः’ (beauties/glories of bees)

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni

FAQs

What is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.12?

This verse describes the sacred, enchanting landscape Nārada encounters—colorful mineral mountains, elephant-broken trees, pure lakes, lotus ponds visited by devas, and forests resonant with birds and bees.

Why is Sūta Gosvāmī narrating Nārada’s travel through forests and lakes?

In Canto 1 Chapter 6, Sūta recounts Nārada’s earlier life to show how sincere spiritual searching and association with devotion lead one toward direct experience of the Lord.

How can this Bhagavatam verse be applied in modern life?

It encourages a contemplative, sacred view of nature—using solitude and purity of environment to deepen remembrance of God and strengthen devotion rather than mere sensory tourism.