Shloka 23
Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise
ददृशुस्तत्र ते रम्यामलकां नाम वै पुरीम् । वनं सौगन्धिकं चापि यत्र तन्नाम पङ्कजम् ॥ २३ ॥
dadṛśus tatra te ramyām alakāṁ nāma vai purīm vanaṁ saugandhikaṁ cāpi yatra tan-nāma paṅkajam
तत्र ते देवाः रम्याम् ‘अलकां’ नाम पुरीं ददृशुः। ‘सौगन्धिकं’ नाम वनं च, यत्र तन्नाम पङ्कजं बहुलं सुगन्धिपूर्णं वर्तते॥
Sometimes Alakā is known as Alakā-purī, which is also the name of the abode of Kuvera. Kuvera’s abode, however, cannot be seen from Kailāsa. Therefore the region of Alakā referred to here is different from the Alakā-purī of Kuvera. According to Vīrarāghava Ācārya, alakā means “uncommonly beautiful.” In the region of Alakā that the demigods saw, there is a type of lotus flower known as Saugandhika that distributes an especially fragrant scent.
FAQs
In this verse Alakā is presented as a beautiful city seen by the travelers in the narrative, highlighting the Bhagavatam’s descriptions of notable sacred and celestial locations.
The verse describes a fragrant forest named Saugaṇdhika, noted for a lotus (paṅkaja) associated with the same name, emphasizing the extraordinary features of that region.
It reminds readers to cultivate reverence for sacred geography and divine descriptions in scripture—using such contemplations to deepen remembrance of the Lord and faith in the Bhagavatam’s spiritual worldview.