Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 47
Kriyā-yoga, the Virāṭ-Puruṣa Mapping, and the Sun-God’s Monthly Expansions
सामर्ग्यजुर्भिस्तल्लिङ्गैऋर्षय: संस्तुवन्त्यमुम् । गन्धर्वास्तं प्रगायन्ति नृत्यन्त्यप्सरसोऽग्रत: ॥ ४७ ॥ उन्नह्यन्ति रथं नागा ग्रामण्यो रथयोजका: । चोदयन्ति रथं पृष्ठे नैऋर्ता बलशालिन: ॥ ४८ ॥
sāmarg-yajurbhis tal-liṅgair ṛṣayaḥ saṁstuvanty amum gandharvās taṁ pragāyanti nṛtyanty apsaraso ’grataḥ
The sages glorify the sun-god with hymns of the Sāma, Ṛg, and Yajur Vedas that reveal his true identity. The Gandharvas sing his praises, and the Apsarās dance before his chariot. The Nāgas tighten the chariot’s ropes, the Yakṣas yoke the horses, and the powerful Rākṣasas push from behind.
FAQs
This verse describes Gandharvas singing and Apsarās dancing in front of the presiding deity, showing how celestial beings serve through devotional arts—song and dance—as part of cosmic worship.
They represent the principal Vedic streams of praise and ritual expression; the sages glorify the deity using hymns from all three, indicating complete and orthodox Vedic worship.
It highlights offering one’s talents—recitation, music, or dance—in glorification of the Lord and His divine order, making devotion expressive, disciplined, and joyful.