Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 2

Paraśurāma Avenges Jamadagni; Restoration Through Sacrifice; Viśvāmitra’s Line and Devarāta (Śunaḥśepha)

Devanagari script

कदाचिद् रेणुका याता गङ्गायां पद्ममालिनम् । गन्धर्वराजं क्रीडन्तमप्सरोभिरपश्यत ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

kadācid reṇukā yātā gaṅgāyāṁ padma-mālinam gandharva-rājaṁ krīḍantam apsarobhir apaśyata

Translation

Un jour, Reṇukā, l’épouse de Jamadagni, alla au bord du Gange pour puiser de l’eau. Là, elle vit Citraratha, roi des Gandharvas, paré d’une guirlande de lotus, s’ébattant dans le Gange avec des Apsarās.

Synonyms

• कदाचित्: once
• कदाचित्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• रेणुका: Reṇukā
• रेणुका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेणुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• याता: went
• याता: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘gone’

• गङ्गायाम्: in the Gaṅgā
• गङ्गायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण (location)

• पद्ममालिनम्: wearing a lotus-garland
• पद्ममालिनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष/षष्ठीभाव (पद्मानां माली); विशेषण (qualifying गन्धर्वराजम्)

• गन्धर्वराजम्: the king of the Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वराजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व + राज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गन्धर्वाणां राजा)

• क्रीडन्तम्: playing/sporting
• क्रीडन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रीड् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (of गन्धर्वराजम्)

• अप्सरोभिः: with nymphs (Apsarases)
• अप्सरोभिः: Sahakari (सहकारी/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्सरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; सहकारक (accompaniment/instrumental)

• अपश्यत: she saw
• अपश्यत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Renuka
• Gandharva-raja
• Apsaras
• Ganga

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about temptation and distraction in spiritual life?

This verse shows how even a pious person like Renukā can become distracted by attractive celestial enjoyment, setting the stage for a lesson on vigilance and self-control.

Why is Renuka going to the Ganga significant in Bhagavatam 9.16?

Renukā goes to the sacred Gaṅgā, but there she encounters an unexpected temptation—highlighting that holy places support purity, yet the mind must still be guarded.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Be mindful that distractions can arise even in good environments; strengthen daily discipline (sādhana), avoid unnecessary exposure to temptation, and refocus the mind on devotional purpose.