Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 17

Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps

Devanagari script

विन्ध्यावलिस्तदागत्य पत्नी जालकमालिनी । आनिन्ये कलशं हैममवनेजन्यपां भृतम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

vindhyāvalis tadāgatya patnī jālaka-mālinī āninye kalaśaṁ haimam avanejany-apāṁ bhṛtam

Translation

Alors Vindhyāvalī, l’épouse de Bali Mahārāja, parée d’un collier de perles, accourut aussitôt et fit apporter une grande aiguière d’or, pleine d’eau, pour adorer le Seigneur en lavant Ses pieds.

Synonyms

• विन्ध्यावली: Vindhyāvalī
• विन्ध्यावली: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विन्ध्यावली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (then)

• आगत्य: having come
• आगत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-गम् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); पूर्वकालिक (having come)

• पत्नी: the wife
• पत्नी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्नी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अप्पोजिशन (in apposition to Vindhyāvalī)

• जालक-मालिनी: adorned with a jālaka-garland
• जालक-मालिनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जालक (प्रातिपदिक) + मालिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (जालकस्य मालिनी = wearing a net-like garland/ornament)

• आनिन्ये: brought
• आनिन्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-नी (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• कलशम्: a pot
• कलशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हैमम्: golden
• हैमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हैम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कलशम् इति विशेषण

• अवनेजन्य-अपाम्: of washing-water
• अवनेजन्य-अपाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवनेजन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (अवनेजन्याः आपः = water meant for washing)

• भृतम्: filled (with)
• भृतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कलशम् इति विशेषण (filled)

Characters & Entities

• Vindhyāvalī
• Jālakamālī

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about serving with simple offerings like water?

This verse highlights that devotional service is expressed through practical, respectful acts—here, bringing water for washing—showing readiness to serve and honor sacred duty.

Who is Vindhyāvalī in Bhagavatam Canto 8 Chapter 20?

Vindhyāvalī is identified here as the wife connected with Jālakamālī; she appears in the narrative as a supporting character who assists by bringing a golden pot filled with washing water.

What is a practical modern application of this shloka’s teaching?

Offer sincere service in small, tangible ways—cleanliness, preparation, and helpfulness—seeing such acts as part of bhakti rather than mere formality.