Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 19

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

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

हेमजालाक्षनिर्गच्छद्धूमेनागुरुगन्धिना । पाण्डुरेण प्रतिच्छन्नमार्गे यान्ति सुरप्रिया: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

hema-jālākṣa-nirgacchad- dhūmenāguru-gandhinā pāṇḍureṇa praticchanna- mārge yānti sura-priyāḥ

Translation

Les apsarās passaient dans des rues voilées d’une fumée blanche, parfumée à l’aguru, s’échappant de fenêtres aux treillis d’or.

Synonyms

• हेमजालाक्षनिर्गच्छद्धूमेन: with smoke issuing from golden lattice-windows
• हेमजालाक्षनिर्गच्छद्धूमेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम + जालाक्ष + निर्गच्छत् + धूम (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—हेमजालाक्ष-निर्गच्छद्-धूम (smoke issuing from golden lattice-windows)

• अगुरुगन्धिना: fragrant with agarwood
• अगुरुगन्धिना: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अगुरु + गन्धिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—अगुरुगन्धिन् (fragrant with aloe/agarwood)

• पाण्डुरेण: whitish/pale
• पाण्डुरेण: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाण्डुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रतिच्छन्नमार्गे: on the covered path
• प्रतिच्छन्नमार्गे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिच्छन्न + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—प्रतिच्छन्नः मार्गः (a path covered/veiled)

• यान्ति: go
• यान्ति: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या गतौ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• सुरप्रियाः: celestial beloved women
• सुरप्रियाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + प्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—सुरप्रिय (beloved of the gods; celestial ladies)

Characters & Entities

• sura-priyāḥ (consorts of the demigods)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about the heavenly atmosphere in Canto 8 Chapter 15?

This verse depicts the demigods’ realm as filled with refined opulence—golden lattices and fragrant aguru incense—creating a pale, perfumed haze as the sura-priyās move along.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 8.15.19 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing the scene and atmosphere surrounding the demigods’ beloved consorts during the events of the deva–asura conflict.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for modern life?

Even amidst conflict and urgency, the Bhagavatam highlights mindful perception—seeing how environment and subtle impressions (like fragrance and atmosphere) influence consciousness—encouraging devotees to cultivate sattvic, uplifting surroundings.