Shloka 19

Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness

Devanagari script

चक्षुष्मत्पद्मरागाग्र्‍यैर्वज्रभित्तिषु निर्मितै: । जुष्टं विचित्रवैतानैर्महार्हैर्हेमतोरणै: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

cakṣuṣmat padmarāgāgryair vajra-bhittiṣu nirmitaiḥ juṣṭaṁ vicitra-vaitānair mahārhair hema-toraṇaiḥ

Translation

Avec des rubis de choix sertis dans ses murs de diamant, il semblait comme doté d’yeux. Il était pourvu de dais merveilleux et de portails d’or d’un prix inestimable.

Synonyms

• cakṣuṣmat: gleaming
• cakṣuṣmat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cakṣuṣmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'padmarāga' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; अर्थे 'brilliant/gleaming'

• padmarāga: ruby
• padmarāga: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padmarāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासमध्यपद; रत्नविशेषः (ruby)

• agryaiḥ: with excellent (rubies)
• agryaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agrya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'cakṣuṣmat-padmarāga-agrya' = with excellent gleaming rubies (instrumental)

• vajra: diamond
• vajra: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'bhitti' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• bhittiṣu: on the diamond walls
• bhittiṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhitti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी बहुवचनम्; 'vajra-bhitti' = diamond walls

• nirmitaiḥ: made (of)
• nirmitaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir-√mā (धातु) + kta → nirmita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'made/constructed' (referring to ornaments)

• juṣṭam: adorned with
• juṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √juṣ (धातु) + kta → juṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'adorned with'

• vicitra: variegated
• vicitra: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'vaitāna' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• vaitānaiḥ: with ornate canopies
• vaitānaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaitāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'vicitra-vaitāna' = ornate canopies/awnings

• mahārhaiḥ: very precious
• mahārhaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahārha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे/पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; vaitāna/toraṇa इत्यादीनां विशेषणम्

• hema: golden
• hema: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'toraṇa' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• toraṇaiḥ: with golden archways
• toraṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: toraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'hema-toraṇa' = golden archways/door-arches

Purport

Artistic jewelry and decorations giving the appearance of eyes are not imaginary. Even in recent times the Mogul emperors constructed their palaces with decorations of jeweled birds with eyes made of valuable stones. The stones have been taken away by the authorities, but the decorations are still present in some of the castles constructed by the Mogul emperors in New Delhi. The royal palaces were built with jewels and rare stones resembling eyes, and thus at night they would give off reflective light without need of lamps.

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Kardama Muni’s heavenly mansion in Canto 3?

It portrays a wondrous, jewel-studded residence—diamond-like walls set with radiant rubies—adorned with colorful canopies and precious golden archways, highlighting extraordinary opulence.

Why is such opulence described in the story of Kardama Muni and Devahūti?

The narrative uses opulence to show that even immense material splendor can be present around great souls, yet the deeper purpose is spiritual—leading Devahūti toward divine wisdom and devotion rather than attachment.

How can this verse be applied in modern life for spiritual growth?

It reminds seekers to appreciate beauty and prosperity without becoming bound by them—using comfort as a support for dharma and bhakti, while cultivating inner detachment.