Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

द्वा:सु विद्रुमदेहल्या भातं वज्रकपाटवत् । शिखरेष्विन्द्रनीलेषु हेमकुम्भैरधिश्रितम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

dvāḥsu vidruma-dehalyā bhātaṁ vajra-kapāṭavat śikhareṣv indranīleṣu hema-kumbhair adhiśritam

Translation

At the entrances, coral thresholds gleamed, and the doors were adorned with diamonds. Upon sapphire domes rose golden pinnacles like sacred vessels, making the palace exceedingly beautiful.

Synonyms

• dvāḥsu: at the two doors
• dvāḥsu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी द्विवचनम् (Locative dual); 'at the two doors/gates'

• vidruma: coral
• vidruma: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidruma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'dehalī' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• dehalyā: with a coral threshold
• dehalyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dehalī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया एकवचनम्; 'vidruma-dehalī' = coral threshold

• bhātam: shining
• bhātam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √bhā (धातु) + kta → bhāta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'shone/appeared'

• vajra: diamond, thunderbolt
• vajra: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'kapāṭa' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• kapāṭavat: like a diamond door-panel
• kapāṭavat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kapāṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + vat (तद्धित) → kapāṭavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; -वत् तद्धित: 'like a door-panel'; 'vajra-kapāṭavat' = like a diamond door

• śikhareṣu: on the peaks
• śikhareṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śikhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी बहुवचनम् (Locative)

• indranīleṣu: of sapphire (indranīla)
• indranīleṣu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indranīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी बहुवचनम्; śikhareṣu इत्यस्य विशेषणरूपेण (sapphire peaks)

• hema: gold
• hema: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'kumbha' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• kumbhaiḥ: with golden pots/finials
• kumbhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'hema-kumbha' = golden pots/finials

• adhiśritam: supported upon
• adhiśritam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: adhi-√śri (धातु) + kta → adhiśrita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'resting upon/supported by'

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Kardama Muni’s palace in Canto 3 Chapter 23?

This verse describes the palace’s radiant doorways, coral-like walls, sapphire-like peaks, and golden domes—an opulent, almost celestial architecture.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing such opulence in the story of Kardama Muni and Devahūti?

He highlights how extraordinary facilities can manifest by yogic and divine arrangement, while the narrative ultimately points toward devotion and renunciation rather than mere enjoyment.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern life?

Even impressive beauty and luxury are temporary; the Bhagavatam uses such descriptions to inspire wonder while reminding seekers to prioritize spiritual purpose over external splendor.