Shloka 8

Chapter 90

Devanagari script

उपगीयमानो गन्धर्वैर्मृदङ्ग-पणवानकान् ।

वादयद्भिर्मुदा वीणां सूत-मागध-वन्दिभिः ॥

Transliteration

upagīyamāno gandharvair mṛdaṅga-paṇavānakān / vādayadbhir mudā vīṇāṃ sūta-māgadha-vandibhiḥ //

Translation

Para Gandharva menyanyikan kemuliaan-Nya, sementara para Sūta, Māgadha dan para pemuji lain dengan gembira memainkan vīṇā, mṛdaṅga, paṇava dan alat muzik lain; demikianlah Tuhan dipuji.

Synonyms

• उपगीयमानः: being sung (praised)
• उपगीयमानः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपगीयमान (कृदन्त; √गै/√गा धातु, कर्मणि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम्; वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्), कर्मणि प्रयोगः ‘being sung/praised’

• गन्धर्वैः: by the Gandharvas
• गन्धर्वैः: Karta (कर्ता/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-बहुवचनम्; ‘by Gandharvas’

• मृदङ्ग: mṛdaṅga drums
• मृदङ्ग: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृदङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-बहुवचनम् (समासाङ्ग); ‘drum (mṛdaṅga)’

• पणव: paṇava drums
• पणव: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-बहुवचनम् (समासाङ्ग); ‘paṇava drum’

• आनकान्: mṛdaṅgas, paṇavas, and ānakas
• आनकान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आनक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-बहुवचनम्; ‘kettledrums’; समासः: मृदङ्ग-पणव-आनकान् (द्वन्द्व: list of instruments)

• वादयद्भिः: by those playing
• वादयद्भिः: Karta (कर्ता/Agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वादयत् (कृदन्त; √वद् धातु, णिच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-बहुवचनम्; वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ) ‘playing (causing to sound)’

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument of manner)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्/मुदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-एकवचनम्; ‘with joy’ (instrumental of manner)

• वीणाम्: the vīṇā
• वीणाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-एकवचनम्; ‘vīṇā’

• सूत: sūtas
• सूत: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-बहुवचनम् (समासाङ्ग); ‘bards/charioteers (sūtas)’

• मागध: māgadhas
• मागध: Samāsa-aṅga (समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मागध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-बहुवचनम् (समासाङ्ग); ‘māgadhas (panegyrists)’

• वन्दिभिः: by sūtas, māgadhas, and other praisers
• वन्दिभिः: Karta (कर्ता/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन्दिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-बहुवचनम्; ‘by praisers’; समासः: सूत-मागध-वन्दिभिः (द्वन्द्व: groups of bards)

Purport

This verse highlights how Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s presence naturally evokes kīrtana—musical glorification by celestial singers (Gandharvas) and expert human performers (Sūtas, Māgadhas, and Vandis). The Bhāgavata repeatedly teaches that the Lord is best approached through śravaṇa and kīrtana (hearing and chanting). Here, even in royal Dvārakā, the atmosphere is saturated with devotional sound, indicating that true prosperity (śrī) culminates in glorifying Bhagavān. The listing of instruments underscores that art, culture, and aesthetics reach perfection when offered in praise of the Supreme. For seekers in Kali-yuga, this is especially relevant: the Bhāgavata’s practical path is nāma-saṅkīrtana—using voice, music, and remembrance to purify the heart and keep life centered on Kṛṣṇa.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Gandharvas
• Sūtas
• Māgadhas
• Vandis

FAQs

What does Bhagavatam teach about kīrtana (chanting and singing)?

It presents glorification of the Lord—through singing, instruments, and praise—as a primary devotional practice that purifies the heart and pleases Kṛṣṇa.

Who are the Gandharvas, Sūtas, and Māgadhas mentioned in Bhagavatam 10.90.8?

Gandharvas are celestial musicians, while Sūtas and Māgadhas are traditional bards and panegyrists who recite and sing the Lord’s and kings’ glories.

How is this verse relevant for spiritual practice today?

It supports the Bhāgavata emphasis on devotional sound—regular chanting, singing, and hearing about Kṛṣṇa as a practical path, especially effective in Kali-yuga.