Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 16

Devahūti’s Prayers, Kapila’s Departure, and Devahūti’s Liberation

Siddhapada

Devanagari script

पय:फेननिभा: शय्या दान्ता रुक्‍मपरिच्छदा: । आसनानि च हैमानि सुस्पर्शास्तरणानि च ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ śayyā dāntā rukma-paricchadāḥ āsanāni ca haimāni susparśāstaraṇāni ca

Translation

Here the opulence of Muni Kardama’s household is described: beds and coverings were white like the foam of milk; seats of ivory were draped with lacework and golden filigree; and golden couches bore pillows and spreads of exquisite softness.

Synonyms

• payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ: resembling milk-foam
• payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: payaḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + phena (प्रातिपदिक) + nibhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.); विशेषण (adjective) qualifying śayyāḥ

• śayyāḥ: beds
• śayyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (f.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.)

• dāntāḥ: with ivory/teeth-like (ivory) parts; ivory-inlaid
• dāntāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.); विशेषण qualifying (rukma-paricchadāḥ/śayyāḥ)

• rukma-paricchadāḥ: adorned with gold furnishings
• rukma-paricchadāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rukma (प्रातिपदिक) + paricchada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (m.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.); विशेषण (having golden furnishings/coverings)

• āsanāni: seats
• āsanāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (conjunction/particle)

• haimāni: golden
• haimāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: haima (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.); विशेषण qualifying āsanāni

• susparśa-astaraṇāni: soft-to-the-touch coverings/spreads
• susparśa-astaraṇāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (अव्यय) + sparśa (प्रातिपदिक) + astaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), Prathamā (Nom. 1), Bahuvacana (pl.); (su-sparśa) as adjective-member qualifying astaraṇāni

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta (conjunction/particle)

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 3) say about luxury and opulence?

This verse describes refined opulence—golden seats, ivory ornaments, and soft coverings—often used in the narrative to contrast external comfort with the inner goal of spiritual realization and detachment.

Who is describing these opulent arrangements in Bhagavatam 3.33.16?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these details while describing the setting connected with Kapila and Devahūti’s episode in Canto 3.

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

Enjoy necessities responsibly, but cultivate non-attachment—recognizing that comfort and wealth are secondary to steady devotion, purity of mind, and the pursuit of liberation.