Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 15

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 fortress was furnished with divine paraphernalia and was delightful in every season. All around it was adorned with colorful flags, festoons, and artistic ornamentation. It shone further with charming flower garlands that drew bees with sweet humming, and with hangings of linen, silk, and many other fabrics.

Synonyms

• divya: divine
• divya: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: divya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; adjective qualifying 'upetaṁ' compound

• upakaraṇa: equipment, furnishings
• upakaraṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: upakaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनस्य अर्थे समासाङ्ग (instrumental sense within compound)

• upetam: endowed with
• upetam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa√i (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय) → upeta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle): 'endowed/possessed with'

• sarva: all
• sarva: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'kāla' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• kāla: time
• kāla: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासमध्यपद; 'sarva-kāla' (all times)

• sukha: happiness, comfort
• sukha: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'āvaha' इत्यस्य कर्मभावः

• āvaham: bringing (comfort)
• āvaham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā√vah (धातु) + aṇ (प्रातिपदिक) → āvaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; 'bringing' (causing to come)

• paṭṭikābhiḥ: with ribbons/bands
• paṭṭikābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paṭṭikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम् (Instrumental)

• patākābhiḥ: with banners/flags
• patākābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patākā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम् (Instrumental)

• vicitrābhiḥ: variegated, ornate
• vicitrābhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; paṭṭikā/patākā इत्यादीनां विशेषणम्

• alaṅkṛtam: adorned
• alaṅkṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: alaṅ√kṛ (धातु) + kta → alaṅkṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'adorned'

• sragbhiḥ: with garlands
• sragbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sraj (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; (वैकल्पिक रूप: स्रग्)

• vicitra: variegated
• vicitra: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'mālya' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• mālyābhiḥ: with garlands/wreaths
• mālyābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'vicitra-mālya' = variegated garlands

• mañju: sweet, pleasant
• mañju: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mañju (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'śiñjat' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• śiñjat: jingling
• śiñjat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiñj (धातु) + śatṛ (कृत्) → śiñjat (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ); समासाङ्ग: 'jingling/sounding'

• ṣaṭ: six
• ṣaṭ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭ (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; संख्या-विशेषणम्

• aṅghribhiḥ: with (bees) having feet
• aṅghribhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅghri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'ṣaḍ-aṅghri' = six-footed (bees)

• dukūlaiḥ: with fine cloth (dukūla)
• dukūlaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dukūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• kṣaumaiḥ: with linen
• kṣaumaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣauma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• kauśeyaiḥ: with silk
• kauśeyaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kauśeya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'dukūla-kṣauma-kauśeya' समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (various fabrics)

• nānā: various
• nānā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक-प्रयोग)
• Form: अव्यय-विशेषणम्; 'various'

• vastraiḥ: with garments
• vastraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'nānā-vastra' = various garments

• virājitam: resplendent
• virājitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi√rāj (धातु) + kta → virājita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'shining, splendid'

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about divine opulence in household life (Canto 3)?

This verse describes a celestial, beautifully decorated residence—showing that comfort and opulence can exist in gṛhastha life when connected to dharma and devotion, not merely sense enjoyment.

Why is a celestial palace described in the story of Kardama Muni and Devahuti?

Śukadeva narrates how Kardama, by yogic power and divine favor, arranged extraordinary comforts for Devahūti—setting the stage for their sacred union and the advent of Lord Kapila.

Practical application: what can devotees learn from this shloka today?

Beautify one’s environment with purity and devotion, remembering that true “divine comfort” is whatever supports remembrance of the Lord and harmonious, dharmic family life.