Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 9

Portents at the Birth of Diti’s Sons and Hiraṇyākṣa Challenges Varuṇa

Devanagari script

अन्तर्ग्रामेषु मुखतो वमन्त्यो वह्निमुल्बणम् । सृगालोलूकटङ्कारै: प्रणेदुरशिवं शिवा: ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

antar-grāmeṣu mukhato vamantyo vahnim ulbaṇam sṛgālolūka-ṭaṅkāraiḥ praṇedur aśivaṁ śivāḥ

Translation

Within the villages, she-jackals cried out as ominous portents, as if vomiting fierce fire from their mouths; and jackals and owls joined in with harsh calls, proclaiming ill fortune.

Synonyms

• antar-grāmeṣu: within the villages
• antar-grāmeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: antar (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-पूर्वपद) + grāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव (‘within villages’)

• mukhataḥ: from the mouth
• mukhataḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘from the mouth’

• vamantyaḥ: vomiting/emitting
• vamantyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vam (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त शतृ; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; śivāḥ-समनाधिकरण (agreeing with subject)

• vahnim: fire
• vahnim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vahni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ulbaṇam: fierce
• ulbaṇam: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ulbaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण of vahnim

• sṛgāla-ulūka-ṭaṅkāraiḥ: with the cries of jackals and owls
• sṛgāla-ulūka-ṭaṅkāraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sṛgāla (प्रातिपदिक) + ulūka (प्रातिपदिक) + ṭaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समाहार/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-भावः (‘of jackals and owls’ + ‘howls/cries’)

• praṇeduḥ: made loud sounds/howled
• praṇeduḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √nad (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• aśivam: inauspiciousness/ill omen
• aśivam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśiva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• śivāḥ: jackals
• śivāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śivā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about inauspicious omens like jackals and owls?

This verse describes jackals and owls crying within villages as signals of impending misfortune—external symptoms that nature becomes disturbed when great conflict or adharma is about to manifest.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 17?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the description of ominous portents surrounding the unfolding conflict in this chapter.

How can a devotee apply the lesson of this verse in modern life?

Rather than becoming fearful of omens, a devotee takes such disturbances as reminders to strengthen sādhana—chanting, prayer, and dharmic conduct—seeking shelter of the Lord when the world appears turbulent.