Shloka 2

Devotion in Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and the Glory of Bhārata-varṣa

Rāmacandra & Nara-Nārāyaṇa; Rivers, Varṇāśrama, and Liberation

Devanagari script

आर्ष्टिषेणेन सह गन्धर्वैरनुगीयमानां परमकल्याणीं भर्तृभगवत्कथां समुपश‍ृणोति स्वयं चेदं गायति ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

ārṣṭiṣeṇena saha gandharvair anugīyamānāṁ parama-kalyāṇīṁ bhartṛ-bhagavat-kathāṁ samupaśṛṇoti svayaṁ cedaṁ gāyati.

Translation

Along with Arṣṭiṣeṇa, the Gandharvas constantly sing the supremely auspicious glories of Lord Rāmacandra. Hanumān and Arṣṭiṣeṇa, the chief of Kimpuruṣa-varṣa, always hear those praises with full attention, and Hanumān himself chants the following mantras.

Synonyms

• ārṣṭiṣeṇena: with Ārṣṭiṣeṇa
• ārṣṭiṣeṇena: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ārṣṭiṣeṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-योगार्थक-अव्यय

• gandharvaiḥ: with Gandharvas
• gandharvaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• anugīyamānām: being sung (about)
• anugīyamānām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: anu-√gai (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; ‘being sung’

• parama-kalyāṇīm: supremely auspicious
• parama-kalyāṇīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + kalyāṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘supremely auspicious’)

• bhartṛ-bhagavat-kathām: the narration of the Lord (as husband)
• bhartṛ-bhagavat-kathām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक) + kathā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘the Lord-husband’s narration’)

• samupaśṛṇoti: hears attentively
• samupaśṛṇoti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-upa-√śru (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• svayam: himself
• svayam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: स्वयम्-शब्दः (indeclinable adverb)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• gāyati: sings
• gāyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Purport

In the Purāṇas there are two different opinions concerning Lord Rāmacandra. In the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta (5.34-36) this is confirmed in the description of the incarnation of Manu.

Characters & Entities

• Ārṣṭiṣeṇa
• Gandharvas

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about śravaṇa (hearing) and kīrtana (chanting)?

This verse highlights that hearing Bhagavat-kathā attentively and also singing it oneself—especially in devotional association—is supremely auspicious and spiritually beneficial.

Who is speaking in Bhagavatam 5.19.2 and what is being described?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates a scene where the Lord’s glories are heard and sung—accompanied by Ārṣṭiṣeṇa and the Gandharvas—showing the culture of devotional recitation.

How can I apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

Regularly listen to authentic Srimad Bhagavatam narrations and also recite/chant them (alone or with others), making hearing and singing the Lord’s glories part of daily practice.