Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 57

Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava

Devanagari script

नृत्यवादित्रगीतैश्च स्तुतिभि: स्वस्तिवाचकै: । कारयेत्तत्कथाभिश्च पूजां भगवतोऽन्वहम् ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

nṛtya-vāditra-gītaiś ca stutibhiḥ svasti-vācakaiḥ kārayet tat-kathābhiś ca pūjāṁ bhagavato ’nvaham

Translation

പ്രതിപത് മുതൽ ത്രയോദശി വരെ ഓരോ ദിവസവും നൃത്തം, വാദ്യം, ഗാനം, സ്തുതികൾ, സ്വസ്തിവാചക മന്ത്രങ്ങൾ, ശ്രീമദ്-ഭാഗവത കഥാപാരായണം എന്നിവയോടുകൂടെ ഈ ചടങ്ങ് തുടരുകയും, ഇങ്ങനെ ഭഗവാനെ ദിനംപ്രതി ആരാധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യണം।

Synonyms

• नृत्य-वादित्र-गीतैः: with dances, instrumental music, and songs
• नृत्य-वादित्र-गीतैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वादित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + गीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—द्वन्द्व (dance, instruments, songs)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• स्तुतिभिः: with praises/hymns
• स्तुतिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तुति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

• स्वस्ति-वाचकैः: with auspicious benedictions
• स्वस्ति-वाचकैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वस्ति (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + वाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (masc/neut), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—तत्पुरुष (utterers of auspicious words)

• कारयेत्: should cause to be performed
• कारयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) [णिच् causative: कारय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (singular); णिच्-प्रयोग (causative: ‘have (it) done’)

• तत्-कथाभिः: with narrations about Him
• तत्-कथाभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—तत्पुरुष (stories of Him/that)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• पूजाम्: worship
• पूजाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• भगवतः: of the Lord
• भगवतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (singular)

• अन्वहम्: daily
• अन्वहम्: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्वहम् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb: ‘day by day’)

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavan (Lord Vishnu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about worshiping the Lord with music and dance?

This verse teaches that worship of Bhagavān can be performed daily with singing, instrumental music, dancing, hymns of praise, and auspicious blessings—making devotion joyful and expressive.

Why does Shukadeva Gosvami emphasize Bhagavata-katha along with puja?

Because hearing and reciting the Lord’s narrations (tat-kathā) is itself a form of worship; it deepens remembrance and devotion, complementing external ritual with inner absorption.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Include a simple daily routine: offer a short prayer, play or sing kirtan, read or listen to Bhagavatam, and keep the mood of auspiciousness and gratitude as part of your worship.