Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

सुरस्त्रीकेशविभ्रष्टनवसौगन्धिकस्रजाम् । यत्रामोदमुपादाय मार्ग आवाति मारुत: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

sura-strī-keśa-vibhraṣṭa- nava-saugandhika-srajām yatrāmodam upādāya mārga āvāti mārutaḥ

Translation

Di sana, angin di jalan-jalan membawa harum rangkaian bunga baharu yang gugur dari rambut para wanita syurga, menjadikan lorong-lorong semerbak.

Synonyms

• सुरस्त्रीकेशविभ्रष्टनवसौगन्धिकस्रजाम्: of fresh fragrant garlands fallen from the hair of celestial women
• सुरस्त्रीकेशविभ्रष्टनवसौगन्धिकस्रजाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर + स्त्री + केश + विभ्रष्ट + नव + सौगन्धिक + स्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), बहुवचन; समासः—(सुरस्त्रीणां केशेभ्यः विभ्रष्टाः नवसौगन्धिकस्रजः) ‘garlands of fresh fragrance fallen from the hair of celestial women’

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक अव्यय (where)

• आमोदम्: fragrance
• आमोदम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आमोद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन

• उपादाय: having taken up
• उपादाय: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उप-आ-√दा ग्रहणे (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having taken/obtained

• मार्गे: on the path/road
• मार्गे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/Locative), एकवचन

• आवाति: blows
• आवाति: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√वा वाति (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• मारुतः: the wind
• मारुतः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मारुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/Nominative), एकवचन

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 8.15.18 describe?

It poetically depicts the battlefield path where the wind carries the sweet fragrance of fresh garlands that have slipped from the demigods’ wives—an image of celestial opulence surrounding the events.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention garlands and fragrance in the Deva-Asura battle narrative?

He enriches the scene with vivid, heavenly details, showing that even amid conflict, the demigods’ realm is marked by celestial refinement and opulence.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for modern life?

It reminds a reader to cultivate sattvic beauty and purity—creating an uplifting atmosphere through cleanliness, devotion, and refined habits—even in stressful circumstances.