Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 26

Lakṣmī’s Emergence, Dhanvantari, and the Advent of Mohinī-mūrti

Devanagari script

शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गानां वादित्राणां पृथु: स्वन: । देवानुगानां सस्त्रीणां नृत्यतां गायतामभूत् ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānāṁ vāditrāṇāṁ pṛthuḥ svanaḥ devānugānāṁ sastrīṇāṁ nṛtyatāṁ gāyatām abhūt

Translation

Alors retentit au loin le vaste son des instruments, tels la conque, les trompettes et les tambours mṛdaṅga. Les habitants de Gandharvaloka et de Cāraṇaloka se mirent à chanter et à danser avec leurs épouses.

Synonyms

• śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānām: of conches, trumpets, and drums
• śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + tūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + mṛdaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; द्वन्द्व-समासः (instruments)

• vāditrāṇām: of musical instruments
• vāditrāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāditra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• pṛthuḥ: loud/expansive
• pṛthuḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pṛthu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying svanaḥ)

• svanaḥ: sound
• svanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• deva-anugānām: of the attendants of the gods
• deva-anugānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + anuga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन, पुंलिङ्ग; तत्पुरुषः ‘followers of the gods’

• sa-strīṇām: along with women
• sa-strīṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपपद) + strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, बहुवचन, स्त्रीलिङ्ग; ‘together with women’ (sahita)

• nṛtyatām: of those dancing
• nṛtyatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nṛt (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present participle) used as genitive plural: षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘of those dancing’

• gāyatām: of those singing
• gāyatām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gai (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान-कृदन्त used as genitive plural: षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘of those singing’

• abhūt: arose/was
• abhūt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about auspicious sounds like conch and drums during divine events?

This verse describes conches, trumpets, mṛdaṅgas, and other instruments resounding as the devas’ attendants sing and dance—showing that auspicious sound and music naturally accompany sacred, joyful moments in the Lord’s līlā.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 8.8.26 and in what context is this celebration happening?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates to King Parīkṣit during the account of Samudra Manthana (churning of the milk ocean), describing the festive rejoicing of the devas’ followers as the divine drama unfolds.

How can this verse be applied in modern devotional practice?

It supports the use of kīrtana—singing, rhythm, and sacred music—as an authentic way to express devotion and to create an uplifting, God-centered atmosphere in personal and community worship.