Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

सुदता सुभ्रुवा श्लक्ष्णस्‍निग्धापाङ्गेन चक्षुषा । पद्मकोशस्पृधा नीलैरलकैश्च लसन्मुखम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

sudatā subhruvā ślakṣṇa- snigdhāpāṅgena cakṣuṣā padma-kośa-spṛdhā nīlair alakaiś ca lasan-mukham

Translation

Son visage rayonnait : de belles dents et des sourcils charmants. Ses yeux, aux coins doux et humides, surpassaient la beauté des boutons de lotus, et sa face était encadrée de boucles sombres aux reflets bleutés.

Synonyms

• su-datā: (she) with beautiful teeth
• su-datā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/प्रातिपदिक) + danta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (sundatā = having beautiful teeth)

• su-bhruvā: with lovely eyebrows
• su-bhruvā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + bhru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (having beautiful eyebrows)

• ślakṣṇa-snigdha-apāṅgena: with a smooth, lustrous sidelong glance
• ślakṣṇa-snigdha-apāṅgena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ślakṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + snigdha (प्रातिपदिक) + apāṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (smooth and glossy side-glance); करण (instrumental)

• cakṣuṣā: with (her) eye
• cakṣuṣā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakṣus (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; करण (with the eye)

• padma-kośa-spṛdhā: rivaling a lotus-bud
• padma-kośa-spṛdhā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक) + kośa (प्रातिपदिक) + spṛdhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (padma-kośena spṛdhā yasyāḥ = rivaling the lotus-bud) qualifying (she)

• nīlaiḥ: dark/blue-black
• nīlaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण of alakaiḥ

• alakaiḥ: with curls
• alakaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण (with curls/locks)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connecting)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• lasan-mukham: with a shining face
• lasan-mukham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lasat (लस् धातु, शतृ) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त present participle 'shining' qualifying mukha; whole as adjective (of person)

Purport

According to Vedic culture, white teeth are very much appreciated. Devahūti’s white teeth increased the beauty of her face and made it look like a lotus flower. When a face looks very attractive, the eyes are generally compared to lotus petals and the face to a lotus flower.

Characters & Entities

• Devahūti

FAQs

What is the meaning of Srimad Bhagavatam 3.23.33?

It poetically describes Devahūti’s refined, pure beauty—soft affectionate glances, radiant face, and dark curls—showing her auspicious qualities in the Kapila-Devahūti narrative.

Who is speaking Bhagavatam 3.23.33 and about whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, describing Devahūti’s appearance and auspicious features.

How can devotees apply the lesson of this verse in modern life?

It highlights inner purity expressed through gentle conduct—cultivating softness, respect, and sattvic refinement rather than mere external display.