Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 28

Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness

Devanagari script

स्‍नानेन तां महार्हेण स्‍नापयित्वा मनस्विनीम् । दुकूले निर्मले नूत्ने ददुरस्यै च मानदा: ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

snānena tāṁ mahārheṇa snāpayitvā manasvinīm dukūle nirmale nūtne dadur asyai ca mānadāḥ

Translation

Voller Ehrfurcht führten die Mädchen Devahūti hinaus, badeten sie mit kostbaren Ölen und Salben und gaben ihr dann ein feines, neues, makelloses Gewand, um ihren Leib zu bedecken.

Synonyms

• स्नानेन: with a bath
• स्नानेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महार्हेण: very precious
• महार्हेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महार्ह (प्रातिपदिक: महा + अर्ह)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (स्नानेन); कर्मधारयः (महान् अर्हः)

• स्नापयित्वा: having bathed (her)
• स्नापयित्वा: Kriya (क्रिया-पूर्वक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्ना (धातु) + णिच् (causative) + क्त्वा (अव्यय-कृदन्त)
• Form: णिजन्त-क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (causative gerund): ‘having bathed (someone)’

• मनस्विनीम्: the noble-minded lady
• मनस्विनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्विनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेष्य-रूपेण (ताम्)

• दुकूले: two garments
• दुकूले: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुकूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• निर्मले: clean
• निर्मले: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषणम् (दुकूले)

• नूत्ने: new
• नूत्ने: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नूतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; विशेषणम् (दुकूले)

• ददुः: gave
• ददुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• अस्यै: to her
• अस्यै: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मानदाः: honor-giving (maids)
• मानदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानद (प्रातिपदिक: मान + द)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मानं ददाति इति)

Characters & Entities

• Devahūti
• Kardama Muni

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about purification and auspicious bathing before sacred events?

This verse shows that before an important dharmic transition like marriage, the bride is honored through a precious bath and given clean new clothes—signifying purity, dignity, and auspicious preparation.

Who is being bathed and dressed in Bhagavatam 3.23.28, and why?

Devahūti is being ceremonially bathed and dressed by respectful attendants as part of the preparations for her marriage to Kardama Muni, honoring her and marking the sacred occasion.

How can this verse be applied in modern devotional life?

It highlights a simple principle: approach sacred moments with cleanliness, fresh intent, and respectful service—honoring others through thoughtful care and purity in conduct.