Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa
यत्र ह देवपतय: स्वै: स्वैर्गणनायकैर्विहितमहार्हणा: सर्वर्तुकुसुमस्तबकफलकिसलयश्रियाऽऽनम्यमानविटपलता विटपिभिरुपशुम्भमानरुचिरकाननाश्रमायतनवर्षगिरिद्रोणीषु तथा चामलजलाशयेषु विकचविविधनववनरुहामोदमुदितराजहंसजलकुक्कुटकारण्डवसारसचक्रवाकादिभिर्मधुकरनिकराकृतिभिरुपकूजितेषु जलक्रीडादिभिर्विचित्रविनोदै: सुललितसुरसुन्दरीणां कामकलिलविलासहासलीलावलोकाकृष्टमनोदृष्टय: स्वैरं विहरन्ति ॥ १३ ॥
yatra ha deva-patayaḥ svaiḥ svair gaṇa-nāyakair vihita-mahārhaṇāḥ sarvartu-kusuma-stabaka-phala-kisalaya-śriyānamyamāna-viṭapa-latā-viṭapibhir upaśumbhamāna-rucira-kānanāśramāyatana-varṣa-giri-droṇīṣu tathā cāmala-jalāśayeṣu vikaca-vividha-nava-vanaruhāmoda-mudita-rāja-haṁsa-jala-kukkuṭa-kāraṇḍava-sārasa-cakravākādibhir madhukara-nikarākṛtibhir upakūjiteṣu jala-krīḍādibhir vicitra-vinodaiḥ sulalita-sura-sundarīṇāṁ kāma-kalila-vilāsa-hāsa-līlāvalokākṛṣṭa-mano-dṛṣṭayaḥ svairaṁ viharanti.
それぞれの地には、多くの園林があり、季節に応じた花房・果実・若芽の栄えによって蔓や樹々の枝がたわみ、麗しい林苑と修行庵を飾っている。境界をなす大山の谷間には澄みきった大湖が広がり、新たに開いた多種の蓮の香りに、王鵞・鴨・水鶏・カランダヴァ・鶴・チャクラヴァーカなどの水鳥が歓び、蜂の羽音が空を満たす。そこでは、天界の指導者たる神々が、それぞれの従者長に侍されつつ、湖畔の園で水遊びなど多彩な遊興を自由に楽しむ。天女たちは戯れの微笑と欲情を含む眼差しで夫の心を引き寄せ、侍者は白檀の香膏と花鬘を絶えず供える。かくして八つの天上ヴァルシャの住民は、異性の働きに惹かれつつ歓楽に浸る。
Here is a description of the lower heavenly planets. The inhabitants of those planets enjoy life in a pleasing atmosphere of clear lakes filled with newly grown lotus flowers and gardens filled with fruits, flowers, various kinds of birds and humming bees. In that atmosphere they enjoy life with their very beautiful wives, who are always sexually stimulated. Nonetheless, they are all devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as will be explained in subsequent verses. The inhabitants of this earth also desire such heavenly enjoyment, but when they somehow or other achieve imitation pleasures like sex and intoxication, they completely forget the service of the Supreme Lord. In the heavenly planets, however, although the residents enjoy superior sense gratification, they never forget their positions as eternal servants of the Supreme Being.
FAQs
This verse depicts Jambūdvīpa’s varṣa regions as filled with ever-blooming forests, fruit-laden trees, pure lakes, swans and other birds, humming bees, and delightful hermitage-like settings where celestial beings freely enjoy.
In the geographic and cosmological narration of Jambūdvīpa, Śukadeva illustrates the opulence and attractions present in higher realms, showing how even exalted beings become absorbed in refined enjoyment within such divine settings.
The verse highlights how beauty and pleasure can strongly pull the mind and senses; a devotee can learn to practice mindful restraint and redirect attraction toward lasting spiritual purpose rather than becoming carried away by sensual charm.