Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 5

Satī at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice: Condemnation of Blasphemy and Voluntary Departure by Yoga-Fire

Devanagari script

तां सारिकाकन्दुकदर्पणाम्बुज श्वेतातपत्रव्यजनस्रगादिभि: । गीतायनैर्दुन्दुभिशङ्खवेणुभि- र्वृषेन्द्रमारोप्य विटङ्किता ययु: ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

tāṁ sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇāmbuja- śvetātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ gītāyanair dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhir vṛṣendram āropya viṭaṅkitā yayuḥ

Translation

Ils firent asseoir Satī sur le dos d’un taureau et lui apportèrent son oiseau favori, une balle, un miroir, un lotus, un grand dais blanc, des éventails de chāmara, des guirlandes et autres objets de plaisir. Suivie d’un chœur de chants, au son des tambours, des conques et des trompes, la procession s’avança avec une pompe digne d’une parade royale.

Synonyms

• tām: her
• tām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇa-ambuja-śveta-ātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ: with parrots, balls, mirrors, lotuses, white parasols, fans, garlands, etc.
• sārikā-kanduka-darpaṇa-ambuja-śveta-ātapatra-vyajana-srag-ādibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sārikā (प्रातिपदिक) + kanduka (प्रातिपदिक) + darpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + ambuja (प्रातिपदिक) + śveta (प्रातिपदिक) + ātapatra (प्रातिपदिक) + vyajana (प्रातिपदिक) + sraj/srag (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Enumerative compound (समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चय) listing items; Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन) (ending -bhiḥ)

• gītāyanaiḥ: with songs/chanting
• gītāyanaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gītāyana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhiḥ: with drums, conches, and flutes
• dundubhi-śaṅkha-veṇubhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + veṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva (द्वन्द्व) ‘drums, conches, flutes’; Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural (बहुवचन)

• vṛṣendram: the chief bull (Nandin)
• vṛṣendram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛṣendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया) Singular (एकवचन)

• āropya: having mounted
• āropya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā+ruh (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), with prefix ā; ‘having mounted/placed upon’

• viṭaṅkitāḥ: adorned
• viṭaṅkitāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṭaṅkita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन); ‘adorned/decorated’ (qualifies attendants)

• yayuḥ: went
• yayuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yā (धातु)
• Form: Luṅ (लुङ्, Aorist), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष) Plural (बहुवचन)

Characters & Entities

• Satī
• Śiva (implied by the bull as his emblem/vehicle)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Satī’s journey to Dakṣa’s sacrifice?

This verse describes Satī being escorted with royal festivity—gifts, music, and honors—seated upon a fine bull as she proceeds toward Dakṣa’s yajña.

Why is Satī shown riding a bull in this verse?

The bull is closely associated with Lord Śiva (Nandī and the bull-emblem), so placing Satī on a bull highlights her connection to Śiva even as she goes toward the event that will become the setting for his insult.

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

External celebration and social honor do not guarantee inner harmony; one should remain discerning about where one is going and what values are being honored, not merely be carried by pomp.