Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 13

Duryodhana’s Envy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya and the Avabhṛtha Festival

Devanagari script

सदस्यर्त्विग्द्विजश्रेष्ठा ब्रह्मघोषेणभूयसा । देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वास्तुष्टुवु: पुष्पवर्षिण: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

sadasyartvig-dvija-śreṣṭhā brahma-ghoṣeṇa bhūyasā devarṣi-pitṛ-gandharvās tuṣṭuvuḥ puṣpa-varṣiṇaḥ

Translation

The assembly officials, the priests, and the finest brāhmaṇas loudly resounded with Vedic mantras, while the devas, divine sages, Pitṛs, and Gandharvas sang praises and showered down flowers.

Synonyms

• sadasya-ṛtvij-dvija-śreṣṭhāḥ: the assembly-members, officiating priests, and foremost brāhmaṇas
• sadasya-ṛtvij-dvija-śreṣṭhāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sadasya (प्रातिपदिक) + ṛtvij (प्रातिपदिक) + dvija (प्रातिपदिक) + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; samāsa: itaretara-dvandva ‘members (of assembly), priests, best of twice-born’ (collective designation of brāhmaṇas)

• brahma-ghoṣeṇa: with Vedic chanting
• brahma-ghoṣeṇa: Karaṇa (करणम्/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahma (प्रातिपदिक) + ghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; samāsa: brahma-ghoṣa = ‘Vedic chant/sound’

• bhūyasā: abundantly / greatly
• bhūyasā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūyas (प्रातिपदिक; comparative of bahu)
• Form: Puṁliṅga/Napumsaka, Tṛtīyā, Ekavacana; comparative used adverbially = ‘more, greatly’

• devarṣi-pitṛ-gandharvāḥ: the divine sages, ancestors, and Gandharvas
• devarṣi-pitṛ-gandharvāḥ: Kartā (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devarṣi (प्रातिपदिक) + pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; itaretara-dvandva

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √stu (धातु) with intensifying/reduplication (tuṣṭuvuḥ)
• Form: Liṭ (Perfect/लिट्), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa, Bahuvacana; ‘they praised’

• puṣpa-varṣiṇaḥ: showering flowers
• puṣpa-varṣiṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्) of devarṣi-pitṛ-gandharvāḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक) + varṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Prathamā, Bahuvacana; samāsa: puṣpa-varṣin = ‘showering flowers’

Characters & Entities

• Devarṣis
• Pitṛs
• Gandharvas
• brāhmaṇas
• ṛtviks

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Vedic chanting (brahma-ghoṣa) during yajña?

This verse describes the foremost brāhmaṇas and priests raising powerful Vedic acclamations, indicating that sacred sound and proper glorification are central features of a righteous sacrifice.

Why do Devarṣis, Pitṛs, and Gandharvas shower flowers in the Bhagavatam?

Their flower shower and praise signify divine approval and joy—an auspicious confirmation that the event is spiritually pleasing and properly conducted.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Keep devotional gatherings centered on sincere glorification—through mantra, kīrtana, and respectful appreciation of saintly guidance—so that spirituality is supported by both reverence and sound practice.