Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

अथादर्शे स्वमात्मानं स्रग्विणं विरजाम्बरम् । विरजं कृतस्वस्त्ययनं कन्याभिर्बहुमानितम् ॥ ३० ॥

Transliteration

athādarśe svam ātmānaṁ sragviṇaṁ virajāmbaram virajaṁ kṛta-svastyayanaṁ kanyābhir bahu-mānitam

Translation

Alors elle se contempla dans un miroir : son corps, pur de toute souillure, était orné d’une guirlande; vêtue d’habits immaculés, marquée du tilaka de bon augure, elle était servie avec grand respect par les suivantes.

Synonyms

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connecting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (indeclinable particle: then/now)

• ādarśe: in the mirror
• ādarśe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādarśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन (singular); अधिकरण (locative)

• svam: one's own
• svam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier) of ātmānam

• ātmānam: self
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• sragviṇam: wearing a garland
• sragviṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sragvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of ātmānam (garlanded)

• viraja-ambaram: wearing spotless garments
• viraja-ambaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viraja + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय समास (virajam ambaram yasya/virajam ambaraṃ); विशेषण of ātmānam

• virajam: spotless
• virajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viraja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण of ātmānam

• kṛta-svastyayanam: for whom auspicious rites were performed
• kṛta-svastyayanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ धातु, क्त) + svastyayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-भावे तत्पुरुष (svastyayanaṃ kṛtam yasya); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) used adjectivally

• kanyābhiḥ: by the maidens
• kanyābhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण/कर्तृसहायक (instrumental: by)

• bahu-mānitam: greatly honored
• bahu-mānitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bahu (प्रातिपदिक) + mānita (मान् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (bahunā mānitam = much-honoured); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) used adjectivally; विशेषण of ātmānam

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 say about purification and auspicious blessings (svastyayana)?

This verse depicts purification and auspicious benedictions as visible signs of elevated, sanctified life—Kardama appears radiant and spotless after being honored and blessed, indicating inner and outer refinement aligned with dharma.

Why does Kardama Muni look at himself in a mirror in Bhagavatam 3.23?

In the marriage narrative, he observes his transformed appearance—garlanded, spotless, and honored—showing readiness and auspiciousness for household life with Devahūti under divine arrangement.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate inner cleanliness through sādhana and then reflect it outwardly through simple purity, respectful conduct, and auspicious intentions—letting character and devotion become “visible” in one’s life.