Shloka 46

Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed

Devanagari script

नेदुर्मृदङ्गपटहशङ्खभेर्यानकादय: । ननृतुर्नटनर्तक्यस्तुष्टुवु: सूतमागधा: । जगु: सुकण्ठ्यो गन्धर्व्य: सङ्गीतं सहभर्तृका: ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

nedur mṛdaṅga-paṭaha- śaṅkha-bhery-ānakādayaḥ nanṛtur naṭa-nartakyas tuṣṭuvuḥ sūta-māgadhāḥ jaguḥ su-kaṇṭhyo gandharvyaḥ saṅgītaṁ saha-bhartṛkāḥ

Translation

Ressoaram mṛdaṅgas, paṭahas, conchas, bherīs, ānakas e outros instrumentos. Dançarinos e dançarinas dançaram, e sūtas e māgadhas recitaram glorificações. Gandharvīs de voz doce cantaram, acompanhadas por seus maridos.

Synonyms

• neduḥ: resounded
• neduḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nad (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural — parasmaipada

• mṛdaṅga-paṭaha-śaṅkha-bherī-ānaka-ādayaḥ: drums, kettledrums, conches, bherīs, ānakas, etc.
• mṛdaṅga-paṭaha-śaṅkha-bherī-ānaka-ādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛdaṅga + paṭaha + śaṅkha + bherī + ānaka + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — samāhāra/itaretara-dvandva list with ādi ‘etc.’

• nanṛtuḥ: danced
• nanṛtuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nṛt (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural — parasmaipada

• naṭa-nartakyaḥ: dancers and dancing-girls
• naṭa-nartakyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naṭa + nartakī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — itaretara-dvandva (male dancers and female dancers); form reflects feminine plural ending

• tuṣṭuvuḥ: praised
• tuṣṭuvuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: stu (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural — parasmaipada

• sūta-māgadhāḥ: sūtas and māgadhas (bards)
• sūta-māgadhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta + māgadha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — itaretara-dvandva

• jaguḥ: sang
• jaguḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gai (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural — parasmaipada

• su-kaṇṭhyaḥ: sweet-voiced
• su-kaṇṭhyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + kaṇṭhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — ‘सु-कण्ठ्यः’ (sweet-voiced) qualifying gandharvyaḥ

• gandharvyaḥ: gandharva women
• gandharvyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• saṅgītam: music/song
• saṅgītam: Karma (कर्म/object of ‘sang’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅgīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• saha-bhartṛkāḥ: together with their husbands
• saha-bhartṛkāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saha (अव्यय) + bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + ka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural — avyayībhāva: ‘भर्तृभिः सह’ (together with husbands) qualifying gandharvyaḥ

Characters & Entities

• Sūtas
• Māgadhas
• Gandharvīs

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about devotional music and celebration?

This verse depicts a sacred festive atmosphere where instruments resound, dancers perform, and bards and Gandharvī singers glorify the Lord—showing that music, praise, and joyful celebration can be offerings of devotion.

Who are the Sūtas and Māgadhas in the Bhagavatam?

Sūtas and Māgadhas are traditional bards and panegyrists who recite and sing praises of great personalities; here they glorify the Lord and the auspicious event being described.

How can this shloka be applied in modern devotional life?

It encourages offering one’s talents—singing, music, dance, or spoken praise—in a spirit of glorification, making community gatherings and worship more heartfelt and God-centered.