Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 48

Kriyā-yoga, the Virāṭ-Puruṣa Mapping, and the Sun-God’s Monthly Expansions

Devanagari script

सामर्ग्यजुर्भिस्तल्ल‍िङ्गैऋर्षय: संस्तुवन्त्यमुम् । गन्धर्वास्तं प्रगायन्ति नृत्यन्त्यप्सरसोऽग्रत: ॥ ४७ ॥ उन्नह्यन्ति रथं नागा ग्रामण्यो रथयोजका: । चोदयन्ति रथं पृष्ठे नैऋर्ता बलशालिन: ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

sāmarg-yajurbhis tal-liṅgair ṛṣayaḥ saṁstuvanty amum gandharvās taṁ pragāyanti nṛtyanty apsaraso ’grataḥ

Translation

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.

Synonyms

• unnahyanti: harness/strap on
• unnahyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-nah (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ratham: the chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nāgāḥ: the Nāgas
• nāgāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• grāmaṇyaḥ: the chiefs/leaders
• grāmaṇyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (appositional with rathayojakāḥ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāmaṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); leader/chief (of a troop/village)

• ratha-yojakāḥ: chariot-harnessers
• ratha-yojakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha + yojaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: “chariot” + “yoker/harnessers”

• codayanti: urge/drive
• codayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: cud (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ratham: the chariot
• ratham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pṛṣṭhe: at the back/behind
• pṛṣṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• nairṛtāḥ: the Nairṛtas
• nairṛtāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nairṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); beings of Nirṛti/demons of the southwest

• bala-śālinaḥ: strong/powerful
• bala-śālinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier of nairṛtāḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bala + śālin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); tatpuruṣa: “strength” + “possessing”

Characters & Entities

• Ṛṣis
• Gandharvas
• Apsarās

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about glorifying the Lord with Vedic hymns?

This verse describes sages praising the Lord with Sāma, Ṛg, and Yajur hymns, showing that Vedic sound and glorification are offerings of devotion.

Why are Gandharvas and Apsaras mentioned in the Bhagavatam while describing worship?

They represent celestial arts—song and dance—used in the Lord’s glorification, illustrating that all refined abilities find perfection in devotional service.

Practical application of kirtana and praise in modern life?

Offer your voice and attention daily through chanting, singing, or reciting sacred texts—turning talent and time into remembrance of the Divine.