Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa
यत्र ह देवपतय: स्वै: स्वैर्गणनायकैर्विहितमहार्हणा: सर्वर्तुकुसुमस्तबकफलकिसलयश्रियाऽऽनम्यमानविटपलता विटपिभिरुपशुम्भमानरुचिरकाननाश्रमायतनवर्षगिरिद्रोणीषु तथा चामलजलाशयेषु विकचविविधनववनरुहामोदमुदितराजहंसजलकुक्कुटकारण्डवसारसचक्रवाकादिभिर्मधुकरनिकराकृतिभिरुपकूजितेषु जलक्रीडादिभिर्विचित्रविनोदै: सुललितसुरसुन्दरीणां कामकलिलविलासहासलीलावलोकाकृष्टमनोदृष्टय: स्वैरं विहरन्ति ॥ १३ ॥
yatra ha deva-patayaḥ svaiḥ svair gaṇa-nāyakair vihita-mahārhaṇāḥ sarvartu-kusuma-stabaka-phala-kisalaya-śriyānamyamāna-viṭapa-latā-viṭapibhir upaśumbhamāna-rucira-kānanāśramāyatana-varṣa-giri-droṇīṣu tathā cāmala-jalāśayeṣu vikaca-vividha-nava-vanaruhāmoda-mudita-rāja-haṁsa-jala-kukkuṭa-kāraṇḍava-sārasa-cakravākādibhir madhukara-nikarākṛtibhir upakūjiteṣu jala-krīḍādibhir vicitra-vinodaiḥ sulalita-sura-sundarīṇāṁ kāma-kalila-vilāsa-hāsa-līlāvalokākṛṣṭa-mano-dṛṣṭayaḥ svairaṁ viharanti.
Dans chacune de ces contrées, les seigneurs parmi les demi-dieux, entourés de leurs chefs de suite, sont honorés par de somptueuses offrandes. On y trouve des jardins et des ermitages magnifiquement ornés de lianes et d’arbres dont les branches s’inclinent sous l’abondance des fleurs de saison, des fruits et des jeunes pousses. Dans les vallées entre les montagnes frontières s’étendent d’immenses lacs d’eau limpide, remplis de lotus nouvellement épanouis ; leur parfum réjouit cygnes, canards, poules d’eau, karandavas, grues, cakravākas et autres oiseaux aquatiques, tandis que le bourdonnement des abeilles emplit l’air. Au bord des lacs, ils se promènent librement, goûtant jeux d’eau et divertissements variés. Les épouses des demi-dieux sourient avec grâce et jettent des regards de désir qui captivent leurs maris ; les serviteurs fournissent sans cesse pâte de santal et guirlandes de fleurs. Ainsi, les habitants des huit varṣas célestes jouissent, attirés par les charmes du sexe opposé.
Here is a description of the lower heavenly planets. The inhabitants of those planets enjoy life in a pleasing atmosphere of clear lakes filled with newly grown lotus flowers and gardens filled with fruits, flowers, various kinds of birds and humming bees. In that atmosphere they enjoy life with their very beautiful wives, who are always sexually stimulated. Nonetheless, they are all devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as will be explained in subsequent verses. The inhabitants of this earth also desire such heavenly enjoyment, but when they somehow or other achieve imitation pleasures like sex and intoxication, they completely forget the service of the Supreme Lord. In the heavenly planets, however, although the residents enjoy superior sense gratification, they never forget their positions as eternal servants of the Supreme Being.
FAQs
This verse depicts Jambūdvīpa’s varṣa regions as filled with ever-blooming forests, fruit-laden trees, pure lakes, swans and other birds, humming bees, and delightful hermitage-like settings where celestial beings freely enjoy.
In the geographic and cosmological narration of Jambūdvīpa, Śukadeva illustrates the opulence and attractions present in higher realms, showing how even exalted beings become absorbed in refined enjoyment within such divine settings.
The verse highlights how beauty and pleasure can strongly pull the mind and senses; a devotee can learn to practice mindful restraint and redirect attraction toward lasting spiritual purpose rather than becoming carried away by sensual charm.