Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

आकाशगङ्गया देव्या वृतां परिखभूतया । प्राकारेणाग्निवर्णेन साट्टालेनोन्नतेन च ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

ākāśa-gaṅgayā devyā vṛtāṁ parikha-bhūtayā prākāreṇāgni-varṇena sāṭṭālenonnatena ca

Translation

La cité était entourée de fossés remplis de l’eau du Gange céleste, appelée Ākāśa-gaṅgā, et d’une haute muraille couleur de feu, munie de parapets pour le combat.

Synonyms

• आकाश: sky
• आकाश: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; member in compound with gaṅgayā

• गङ्गया: by the celestial Ganges
• गङ्गया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ākāśa-gaṅgayā = कर्मधारय (‘the heavenly Ganges’)

• देव्या: by the goddess
• देव्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; apposition to gaṅgayā

• वृताम्: surrounded
• वृताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying (implicit) purīm

• परिख: as a moat
• परिख: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिखा/परिख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; member in compound with bhūtayā

• भूतया: having become
• भूतया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भू (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; parikha-bhūtayā = उपपद/तत्पुरुष sense ‘having become a moat’

• प्राकारेण: by a rampart, wall
• प्राकारेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• अग्नि: fire
• अग्नि: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; member in compound with varṇena

• वर्णेन: with fiery color
• वर्णेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; agni-varṇena = तत्पुरुष (‘of fire-color’)

• स: with
• स: Sahārtha-dyotaka (सह-अर्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय-पूर्वपद)
• Form: Prefix-like indeclinable meaning ‘with’ (सह-अर्थक) used in compound sāṭṭālena

• अट्टालेन: with battlements/towers
• अट्टालेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अट्टाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; sāṭṭālena = स-तत्पुरुष (‘with battlements/towers’)

• उन्नतेन: lofty, high
• उन्नतेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उन्नत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; qualifying prākāreṇa (and/or sāṭṭālena)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya-dyotaka (समुच्चय-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

Characters & Entities

• Ākāśa-gaṅgā

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Ākāśa-gaṅgā (the celestial Ganges)?

In this verse, Ākāśa-gaṅgā is described as a divine river encircling the city and functioning like a protective moat, highlighting her sacred and safeguarding presence.

Why is a divine moat and fiery rampart described in Bhagavatam Canto 8?

Śukadeva describes these defenses to portray the extraordinary, celestial strength and splendor of the devas’ stronghold in the context of the Devas–Asuras conflict.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Just as the city is protected by strong boundaries, a devotee protects spiritual life through disciplined practices—good association, steady sādhana, and guarding the mind from harmful influences.