Shloka 19

Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā

Devanagari script

वरुणप्रेषिता देवी वारुणी वृक्षकोटरात् । पतन्ती तद् वनं सर्वं स्वगन्धेनाध्यवासयत् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

varuṇa-preṣitā devī vāruṇī vṛkṣa-koṭarāt patantī tad vanaṁ sarvaṁ sva-gandhenādhyavāsayat

Translation

Sent by the god Varuṇa, the divine vāruṇī liquor streamed from a hollow in a tree and, with its sweet aroma, perfumed the entire forest.

Synonyms

• varuṇa-preṣitā: sent by Varuṇa
• varuṇa-preṣitā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: varuṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + preṣita (कृदन्त; √preṣ प्रेष्)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; past passive participle (क्त); समासः: वरुणेन प्रेषिता

• devī: the goddess (lady)
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vāruṇī: Vāruṇī (a divine liquor)
• vāruṇī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāruṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vṛkṣa-koṭarāt: from a tree-hollow
• vṛkṣa-koṭarāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + koṭara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; समासः: वृक्षस्य कोटरम्

• patantī: falling down
• patantī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: patantī (कृदन्त; √pat पत्)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; present active participle (शतृ) qualifying vāruṇī

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; demonstrative pronoun used adjectivally with vanam

• vanam: forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sarvam: entire
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; agrees with vanam

• sva-gandhena: with its own fragrance
• sva-gandhena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; समासः: स्वस्य गन्धः

• adhyavāsayat: perfumed/pervaded
• adhyavāsayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vas (वस्) with adhi- (उपसर्ग) + causative (णिच्)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; causative: ‘made (it) dwell/filled/pervaded’

Purport

Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that vāruṇī is a liquor distilled from honey. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that the goddess Vāruṇī, the daughter of Varuṇa, is the presiding deity of that particular divine liquor. The ācārya also quotes the following statement from Śrī Hari-vaṁśa: samīpaṁ preṣitā pitrā varuṇena tavānagha. Here the goddess Vāruṇī says to Lord Balarāma: “My father, Varuṇa, has sent me to You, O sinless one.”

Characters & Entities

• Varuṇa
• Vāruṇī

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Vāruṇī in Canto 10?

In 10.65.19, Śukadeva describes Vāruṇī as a divine liquor sent by Varuṇa, flowing from a tree hollow and perfuming the entire forest—an element within the unfolding pastime narrative.

Why is Varuṇa mentioned in this verse of the Bhagavatam?

Varuṇa is mentioned because the celestial substance Vāruṇī is described as being dispatched by him, highlighting divine arrangement and opulence within the līlā setting.

What practical lesson can devotees take from this verse today?

The verse reminds readers that the Bhagavatam’s sacred settings are pervaded by divine arrangement; cultivating remembrance of the Lord’s līlā and holy places can “perfume” one’s mind with devotion.