Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

मुक्तावितानैर्मणिहेमकेतुभि- र्नानापताकावलभीभिरावृताम् । शिखण्डिपारावतभृङ्गनादितां वैमानिकस्त्रीकलगीतमङ्गलाम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

muktā-vitānair maṇi-hema-ketubhir nānā-patākā-valabhībhir āvṛtām śikhaṇḍi-pārāvata-bhṛṅga-nāditāṁ vaimānika-strī-kala-gīta-maṅgalām

Translation

The city lay in the shade of canopies adorned with pearls, and upon the palace domes fluttered banners of pearl and gold. It ever resounded with the calls of peacocks, pigeons, and bees, while above, vimānas filled with lovely women flew about, ceaselessly singing auspicious, ear-delighting hymns.

Synonyms

• muktā-vitānaiḥ: with pearl-canopies
• muktā-vitānaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muktā (प्रातिपदिक) + vitāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मुक्तानां वितानानि)

• maṇi-hema-ketubhiḥ: with jewel-and-gold banners/standards
• maṇi-hema-ketubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + hema (प्रातिपदिक) + ketu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मणि-हेम-केतवः)

• nānā-patākā-valabhībhiḥ: with various flags and balconies
• nānā-patākā-valabhībhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/indecl.) + patākā (प्रातिपदिक) + valabhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुष (नानाविधाः पताकाः च वलभ्यः च)

• āvṛtām: covered, surrounded
• āvṛtām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-√vṛ (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (क्त/PPP); Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifies implied ‘purīm/devadhānīm’

• śikhaṇḍi-pārāvata-bhṛṅga-nāditām: resounding with peacocks, pigeons, and bees
• śikhaṇḍi-pārāvata-bhṛṅga-nāditām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śikhaṇḍin (प्रातिपदिक) + pārāvata (प्रातिपदिक) + bhṛṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + nādita (कृदन्त from √nad)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; PPP ‘nādita’ = ‘resounded’; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शिखण्डि-पारावत-भृङ्गैः नादिता)

• vaimānika-strī-kala-gīta-maṅgalām: made auspicious by the sweet songs of celestial women
• vaimānika-strī-kala-gīta-maṅgalām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaimānika (प्रातिपदिक) + strī (प्रातिपदिक) + kala (प्रातिपदिक) + gīta (कृदन्त from √gai) + maṅgala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वैमानिक-स्त्रीणां कलं गीतं मङ्गलं यस्याम्/यत्)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the divine opulence surrounding Vāmana’s appearance?

This verse describes an aerial chariot adorned with pearls, jewels, gold, flags, and auspicious celestial singing—showing the Lord’s advent as accompanied by unmistakable divine splendor.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe such elaborate ornaments and sounds in this scene?

He is narrating the Lord’s descent in the Vāmana episode; the majestic decorations and auspicious sounds emphasize that the Supreme Lord’s līlā is transcendent and worshipful, not ordinary.

Practical application of this shloka’s mood in modern life?

Bring “maṅgala” (auspiciousness) into daily life by honoring the Lord with beauty and sound—cleanliness, sacred music, and devotional offerings—remembering that bhakti can sanctify one’s environment.