Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 41

Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वमुख्यौ जगतुर्विश्वावसुपरावसू । देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्नर्तक्यो ननृतुर्मुदा ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

gandharva-mukhyau jagatur viśvāvasu-parāvasū deva-dundubhayo nedur nartakyo nanṛtur mudā

Translation

Viśvāvasu dan Parāvasu, dua pemimpin Gandharva, bernyanyi dengan sukacita. Genderang para dewa bergemuruh, dan para Apsara menari dalam kegirangan.

Synonyms

• गन्धर्व-मुख्यौ: the two chief Gandharvas
• गन्धर्व-मुख्यौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva (प्रातिपदिक) + mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound ‘chief among Gandharvas’; Masculine, Nominative, Dual (द्विवचन)

• जगतुः: sang
• जगतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Dual, Parasmaipada

• विश्वावसु-परावसू: Viśvāvasu and Parāvasu
• विश्वावसु-परावसू: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśvāvasu (प्रातिपदिक) + parāvasu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvandva compound naming two persons; Masculine, Nominative, Dual; in apposition to गन्धर्व-मुख्यौ

• देव-दुन्दुभयः: the divine drums
• देव-दुन्दुभयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound ‘divine drums’; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• नेदुः: resounded
• नेदुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nad (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• नर्तक्यः: dancing girls
• नर्तक्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nartakī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• ननृतुः: danced
• ननृतुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural, Parasmaipada

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mudā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Singular; adverbial use ‘with joy/joyfully’

Characters & Entities

• Viśvāvasu
• Parāvasu
• Gandharvas
• Devas
• Apsarās (celestial dancers)

FAQs

Who are Viśvāvasu and Parāvasu in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

They are renowned Gandharvas (celestial musicians) who sing in celebration of divine events; in this verse they lead the jubilant singing as the devas rejoice.

What does ‘deva-dundubhi’ mean in Bhagavata Purana 8.11.41?

Deva-dundubhi refers to celestial drums that resound in the heavens, traditionally marking auspicious moments such as victory, divine appearances, or celebrations among the demigods.

How can this verse be applied in modern devotional life?

It highlights offering joyful praise—through kīrtana, music, and gratitude—when righteousness is upheld and divine help is felt, cultivating a celebratory mood of bhakti rather than mere personal pride.