Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 24

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

ननृतुस्तस्य पुरत: स्त्रियोऽथो गायका जगु: । मृदङ्गवीणापणवैर्वाद्यं चक्रुर्मनोरमम् ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

nanṛtus tasya purataḥ striyo ’tho gāyakā jaguḥ mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-paṇavair vādyaṁ cakrur mano-ramam

Translation

Before the sage the women danced, and the singers sang; to the charming accompaniment of mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, cymbals and other instruments, delightful music arose.

Synonyms

• nanṛtuḥ: they danced
• nanṛtuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of him’

• purataḥ: in front
• purataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/postposition (देशवाचक-अव्यय) meaning ‘in front of’ (governs genitive)

• striyaḥ: women
• striyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• atho: and then/also
• atho: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha + u (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/conjunction (समुच्चय/अनन्तरवाचक-अव्यय)

• gāyakāḥ: singers
• gāyakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural

• jaguḥ: sang
• jaguḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

• mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-paṇavaiḥ: with drums, lutes, and paṇavas
• mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-paṇavaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdaṅga + vīṇā + paṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; द्वन्द्व: ‘mṛdaṅgaś ca vīṇā ca paṇavaś ca’

• vādyam: music, instrumental performance
• vādyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vādya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; object of cakruḥ

• cakruḥ: they made/performed
• cakruḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural; parasmaipada

• manoramam: delightful
• manoramam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manorama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; adjective qualifying vādyam

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about devotional music and dance (kirtana)?

This verse describes singing, dancing, and instruments performed before the Lord, showing that sacred sound and devotional arts are natural expressions of bhakti.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 12.8.24?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating the events of Canto 12 to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

How can I apply the teaching of Bhagavatam 12.8.24 in modern life?

Engage in sincere kīrtana—singing the Lord’s names and hearing devotional songs—so that joy, remembrance of God, and inner purity grow through sound and celebration.