Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 21

Ambarīṣa’s Prayers to Sudarśana and the Deliverance of Durvāsā

Devanagari script

कर्मावदातमेतत् ते गायन्ति स्व:स्त्रियो मुहु: । कीर्तिं परमपुण्यां च कीर्तयिष्यति भूरियम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

karmāvadātam etat te gāyanti svaḥ-striyo muhuḥ kīrtiṁ parama-puṇyāṁ ca kīrtayiṣyati bhūr iyam

Translation

Para wanita yang diberkati di alam syurga akan sering menyanyikan tentang akhlakmu yang suci tanpa noda. Kemasyhuranmu yang amat berpahala juga akan terus dipuji oleh manusia di bumi ini.

Synonyms

• karma-avadātam: this pure deed
• karma-avadātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karma (प्रातिपदिक) + avadāta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (अवदातं कर्म)

• etat: this
• etat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेष्य-सूचक

• te: your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘of you/your’

• gāyanti: sing (praise)
• gāyanti: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (गै धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• svaḥ-striyaḥ: the women of heaven (apsarās)
• svaḥ-striyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svaḥ (स्वर्/स्वः = heaven; प्रातिपदिक) + strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (स्वः-लोकस्य स्त्रियः)

• muhuḥ: again and again
• muhuḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: muhuḥ (मुहुः)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• kīrtim: fame
• kīrtim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kīrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• parama-puṇyām: supremely meritorious
• parama-puṇyām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + puṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय; कīर्तिम् इत्यस्य विशेषण

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

• kīrtayiṣyati: will proclaim
• kīrtayiṣyati: Kriyā (मुख्यक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kīrt (कीर्त् धातु, णिच् causative)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; णिजन्त

• bhūḥ: the earth
• bhūḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū (भूः = earth; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• iyam: this
• iyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूरिति विशेष्यस्य विशेषण (appositive)

Characters & Entities

• Mahārāja Ambarīṣa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the fame of a pure devotee?

This verse says that the spotless deeds of a great devotee become so glorious that even the residents of heaven repeatedly sing them, and the earth continues to proclaim that sacred fame.

Why did Shukadeva Gosvami glorify Ambarisha Maharaja in this way?

In the narrative of Ambarīṣa and Durvāsā, Śukadeva highlights Ambarīṣa’s unwavering devotion and purity; therefore his deeds are described as “spotless” and worthy of being celebrated across heaven and earth.

How can I apply this teaching about kirtana and reputation in modern life?

Practice sincere devotion expressed through clean conduct and regular glorification of the Lord; over time, integrity and bhakti create a lasting, uplifting influence—more valuable than temporary worldly recognition.