Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 18

Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons

Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions

Devanagari script

तस्मिन् प्रसूनस्तबकपलाशाशोककानने । वार्भि: स्रवद्‌भिरुद्‍घुष्टेनिर्विन्ध्याया: समन्तत: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

tasmin prasūna-stabaka- palāśāśoka-kānane vārbhiḥ sravadbhir udghuṣṭe nirvindhyāyāḥ samantataḥ

Translation

Dans cette vallée de montagne s’étendait un bois paré de grappes de fleurs de palāśa et de nombreux arbres aśoka. Là coulait la rivière nommée Nirvindhyā, et le doux murmure des eaux tombant en cascade résonnait de toutes parts. C’est en ce lieu charmant que le couple parvint.

Synonyms

• tasmin: in that (place)
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक (Masculine/Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• prasūna-stabaka-palāśa-aśoka-kānane: in the forest of flower-clusters, Palāśa and Aśoka (trees)
• prasūna-stabaka-palāśa-aśoka-kānane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prasūna (प्रातिपदिक) + stabaka (प्रातिपदिक) + palāśa (प्रातिपदिक) + aśoka (प्रातिपदिक) + kānana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: (prasūna-stabaka, palāśa, aśoka) युक्तं kānanam = forest with clusters of flowers, Palāśa and Aśoka trees

• vārbhiḥ: with waters
• vārbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sravadbhiḥ: flowing
• sravadbhiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sravat (कृदन्त; √sru धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle): 'flowing' (qualifying vārbhiḥ)

• udghuṣṭe: resounding
• udghuṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udghuṣṭa (कृदन्त; √ghuṣ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular); भूतकृदन्त: 'resounding' (agreeing with kānane/tasmin)

• nirvindhyāyāḥ: of (the river) Nirvindhyā
• nirvindhyāyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirvindhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• samantataḥ: on all sides, all around
• samantataḥ: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण/Spatial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

Characters & Entities

• Nirvindhyā (river)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about sacred forests and holy rivers?

This verse depicts a sacred aśoka forest made vibrant by blossoms and leaves, and sanctified by the loudly flowing Nirvindhyā River—showing how holy landscapes support Vedic rites and remembrance.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the Nirvindhyā River here?

He is setting the scene for the events surrounding Dakṣa’s sacrificial arena and its surroundings, using vivid natural details to locate the narrative in a sanctified, auspicious environment.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

Create a devotional atmosphere by spending time in nature, near water, or in a calm sacred space—using the environment to steady the mind for prayer, japa, and reflection.