Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City
Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition
रम्यामुपवनोद्यानै: श्रीमद्भिर्नन्दनादिभि: । कूजद्विहङ्गमिथुनैर्गायन्मत्तमधुव्रतै: । प्रवालफलपुष्पोरुभारशाखामरद्रुमै: ॥ १२ ॥
ramyām upavanodyānaiḥ śrīmadbhir nandanādibhiḥ kūjad-vihaṅga-mithunair gāyan-matta-madhuvrataiḥ pravāla-phala-puṣporu- bhāra-śākhāmara-drumaiḥ
Kota Indra dipenuhi taman dan kebun yang indah, seperti Nandana; pasangan burung berkicau dan lebah yang bernyanyi berputar-putar, sementara dahan-dahan pohon abadi merunduk oleh berat bunga, daun, dan buah bak karang.
FAQs
This verse portrays Svarga as filled with splendid gardens like Nandana, where birds sing, bees hum in intoxication, and celestial trees bow under the abundance of sprouts, fruits, and flowers.
Śukadeva describes the setting of the demigods’ realm during the narrative of the devas and asuras, establishing the opulence of Svarga even as the larger theme points beyond heaven toward lasting spiritual shelter.
Appreciate nature’s beauty as a reminder of divine artistry, but cultivate detachment—recognizing that even the most opulent pleasures are temporary compared to bhakti and spiritual realization.