Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 14

Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness

Devanagari script

दिव्योपकरणोपेतं सर्वकालसुखावहम् । पट्टिकाभि: पताकाभिर्विचित्राभिरलंकृतम् ॥ १४ ॥ स्रग्भिर्विचित्रमाल्याभिर्मञ्जुशिञ्जत्षडङ्‌घ्रिभि: । दुकूलक्षौमकौशेयैर्नानावस्रैर्विराजितम् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

divyopakaraṇopetaṁ sarva-kāla-sukhāvaham paṭṭikābhiḥ patākābhir vicitrābhir alaṅkṛtam

Translation

The mansion was furnished with celestial paraphernalia and brought comfort in every season. It was adorned on all sides with variegated flags, festoons, and artistic decorations. It was further beautified with lovely flower garlands that drew sweetly humming bees, and it shone with hangings of fine cloth, linen, silk, and many other fabrics.

Synonyms

• divya-upakaraṇa-upetam: provided with divine furnishings
• divya-upakaraṇa-upetam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक) + upakaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; PPP) from upa-√i (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘दिव्यैः उपकरणैः उपेतम्’ (endowed with divine implements)

• sarva-kāla-sukha-āvaham: bringing happiness at all times
• sarva-kāla-sukha-āvaham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + sukha (प्रातिपदिक) + āvaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘सर्वकाले सुखम् आवहति’

• paṭṭikābhiḥ: with bands/strips
• paṭṭikābhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭṭikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• patākābhiḥ: with banners
• patākābhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patākā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• vicitrābhiḥ: variegated; colorful
• vicitrābhiḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifying paṭṭikā/patākā)

• alaṅkṛtam: adorned
• alaṅkṛtam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; PPP) from alaṅ-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 say about divine opulence and comfort?

This verse describes a celestial, well-equipped residence that provides comfort at all times, showing that extraordinary opulence can exist within the Lord’s arrangement without becoming the devotee’s ultimate goal.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing banners and decorations in this passage?

He is narrating Kardama Muni’s divinely arranged abode to set the scene: despite such splendor, the story will highlight higher spiritual priorities—duty, devotion, and eventual renunciation.

Practical application: how should devotees view luxury and comfort?

Use comforts as facilities in service and dharma, but keep the heart anchored in bhakti—seeing external opulence as temporary and not the measure of spiritual success.