Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
तदाश्रमपदं पुण्यं पुण्यद्रुमलताञ्चितम् । पुण्यद्विजकुलाकीर्णं पुण्यामलजलाशयम् ॥ १८ ॥ मत्तभ्रमरसङ्गीतं मत्तकोकिलकूजितम् । मत्तबर्हिनटाटोपं मत्तद्विजकुलाकुलम् ॥ १९ ॥ वायु: प्रविष्ट आदाय हिमनिर्झरशीकरान् । सुमनोभि: परिष्वक्तो ववावुत्तम्भयन् स्मरम् ॥ २० ॥
tad-āśrama-padaṁ puṇyaṁ puṇya-druma-latāñcitam puṇya-dvija-kulākīrṇaṁ puṇyāmala-jalāśayam
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s holy āśrama was adorned with pious trees and creepers, and crowded with saintly brāhmaṇa families, blessed with pure, sacred ponds. It resounded with the humming song of intoxicated bees and the eager cooing of cuckoos; jubilant peacocks danced, and flocks of birds, as if maddened, thronged the hermitage. Then the spring breeze sent by Indra entered, bearing cool spray from nearby waterfalls; embraced by the fragrance of forest blossoms, it began to stir the passion of Kāma, the god of desire.
FAQs
It portrays a sanctified hermitage filled with auspicious natural sounds—bees humming, cuckoos singing, peacocks dancing, and many birds—signaling purity, joy, and a sattvic atmosphere conducive to devotion.
To convey the spiritual mood of the sacred place being visited/depicted in the narrative—showing how a holy environment naturally supports remembrance of the Lord and elevates the mind beyond worldly distraction.
Create a “tīrtha-like” space by choosing uplifting surroundings—cleanliness, natural beauty, and sacred sound (kīrtana/recitation)—so the mind becomes joyful and steady for bhakti.