Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 16

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

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

सभाचत्वररथ्याढ्यां विमानैर्न्यर्बुदैर्युताम् । श‍ृङ्गाटकैर्मणिमयैर्वज्रविद्रुमवेदिभि: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

sabhā-catvara-rathyāḍhyāṁ vimānair nyarbudair yutām śṛṅgāṭakair maṇimayair vajra-vidruma-vedibhiḥ

Translation

La cité regorgeait de salles d’assemblée, de cours et de larges avenues, et elle était pourvue d’innombrables (nyarbuda) vimānas. Les carrefours étaient de pierreries, et des estrades de diamant et de corail y servaient de sièges.

Synonyms

• सभाचत्वररथ्याढ्याम्: abounding in assembly-halls, courtyards, and streets
• सभाचत्वररथ्याढ्याम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सभा + चत्वर + रथ्या + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—सभा-चत्वर-रथ्या-आढ्य (rich in halls, squares, and streets)

• विमानैः: with aerial palaces
• विमानैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• न्यर्बुदैः: by countless (myriads)
• न्यर्बुदैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यर्बुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्या-विशेषः (a very large number)

• युताम्: endowed/filled
• युताम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत (कृदन्त; √युज् योगे)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle)

• शृङ्गाटकैः: with crossroads
• शृङ्गाटकैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शृङ्गाटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘चतुष्पथ/चौराहा’ अर्थे

• मणिमयैः: gem-made
• मणिमयैः: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मणि + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—मणिमय (made of gems)

• वज्रविद्रुमवेदिभिः: with platforms of diamond and coral
• वज्रविद्रुमवेदिभिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र + विद्रुम + वेदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—वज्र-विद्रुम-वेदि (altars/platforms of diamond and coral)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Vaikuntha’s opulence in Canto 8?

This verse portrays a divine city filled with assembly halls, wide streets, innumerable vimānas, jewel-made junctions, and platforms of diamond and coral—signifying the Lord’s transcendental opulence.

Who is speaking this description in Bhagavatam 8.15?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these details to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while describing the heavenly/divine realm and its splendor.

What is the practical takeaway from verses describing celestial opulence?

They inspire remembrance of the Lord’s abode and strengthen faith that spiritual attainment is real and supremely beautiful, encouraging steady bhakti rather than attachment to temporary worldly luxury.