Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 22

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

अन्वीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्गीतवादित्रयूथकै: । अद‍ृश्यतात्तचापेषु: स्व:स्त्रीयूथपति: स्मर: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

anvīyamāno gandharvair gīta-vāditra-yūthakaiḥ adṛśyatātta-cāpeṣuḥ svaḥ-strī-yūtha-patiḥ smaraḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ സ്വർഗീയ സ്ത്രീസമൂഹങ്ങളുടെ നായകനായ മന്മഥൻ വില്ലും അമ്പുകളും ധരിച്ച് അവിടെ എത്തി. അവന്റെ പിന്നാലെ ഗന്ധർവരുടെ കൂട്ടങ്ങൾ പാടിയും വാദ്യങ്ങൾ മുഴക്കിയും പിന്തുടർന്നു।

Synonyms

• anvīyamānaḥ: being followed
• anvīyamānaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anu-√i (धातु)
• Form: Present passive participle (शानच्), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘being followed’ (qualifies smaraḥ)

• gandharvaiḥ: by Gandharvas
• gandharvaiḥ: Kartṛ (कर्ता) / Agent (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; agent in passive construction

• gīta-vāditra-yūthakaiḥ: by groups of singers and musicians
• gīta-vāditra-yūthakaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gīta + vāditra + yūthaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; द्वन्द्व: ‘gītaṃ ca vāditraṃ ca’ + yūthaka ‘troops’; ‘by troops of singers and instrumentalists’

• adṛśyata: appeared, was seen
• adṛśyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect passive (लङ्, कर्मणि), 3rd person, Singular; ‘was seen/appeared’

• ātta-cāpa-isuḥ: with bow and arrows in hand
• ātta-cāpa-isuḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātta + cāpa + iṣu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; बहुव्रीहि: ‘yasya cāpaḥ iṣavaś ca āttāḥ’ = ‘who has taken up bow and arrows’

• svaḥ-strī-yūtha-patiḥ: leader of the troop of heavenly women
• svaḥ-strī-yūtha-patiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svaḥ + strī + yūtha + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; tatpuruṣa: ‘svaḥ-strīṇāṃ yūthasya patiḥ’ = ‘leader of the troop of celestial women’

• smaraḥ: Kāma (Cupid)
• smaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: smara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Smara (Kāmadeva/Cupid)

FAQs

Why does Kāmadeva (Smara) appear in Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 12?

In this narrative, Cupid’s arrival—surrounded by Gandharvas and celestial spectacle—signals the rise of temptation and illusion, highlighting how worldly allure can confront even elevated seekers.

Who is speaking this verse in Bhagavatam 12.8.22 and to whom?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing the unfolding vision in which celestial beings, including Smara, appear.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern spiritual life?

Attraction and sensory glamour can arrive with “music and celebration”; the verse reminds a practitioner to stay vigilant and anchored in bhakti rather than being carried away by enticing appearances.