Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 22

Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain

Devanagari script

निशामुखं मानयन्तावुदितोडुपतारकम् । मल्लिकागन्धमत्तालि जुष्टं कुमुदवायुना ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

niśā-mukhaṁ mānayantāv uditoḍupa-tārakam mallikā-gandha-mattāli- juṣṭaṁ kumuda-vāyunā

Translation

Pinuri ng dalawang Panginoon ang pagdating ng gabi, na hudyat ng pagsikat ng buwan at paglitaw ng mga bituin; may simoy na amoy-liryo at mga bubuyog na lasing sa halimuyak ng sampagita.

Synonyms

• निशामुखम्: the face/beginning of night
• निशामुखम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशा + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मानयन्तौ: honouring, appreciating
• मानयन्तौ: कर्ता (Karta/Doer, participial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मान् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; कर्तरि—‘honouring/considering’

• उदित: risen
• उदित: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + इ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• उडुपतारकम्: the moon and stars
• उडुपतारकम्: कर्म (Karma/Object, with उदित)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उडुप + तारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व—‘उडुपं च तारकं च’ (moon and stars collectively)

• मल्लिकागन्धमत्तालि: a bee intoxicated by jasmine fragrance
• मल्लिकागन्धमत्तालि: कर्ता (Karta/Subject of juṣṭam implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मल्लिका + गन्ध + मत्त + अलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—‘मल्लिकागन्धेन मत्तः अलिः’ (bee intoxicated by jasmine scent)

• जुष्टम्: frequented, enjoyed
• जुष्टम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जुष् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘frequented/enjoyed’—विशेषण (of niśāmukham)

• कुमुदवायुना: by the breeze scented with kumuda (night-lotus)
• कुमुदवायुना: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमुद + वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; करण

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Śrī Balarāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Vrindavan’s night atmosphere during Krishna’s pastimes?

This verse describes the onset of night in Vraja as sacred and celebratory—moon and stars rising, jasmine scent attracting bees, and a cool breeze carrying the fragrance of night-lotuses—showing nature lovingly serving Kṛṣṇa’s līlā.

Why are Krishna and Balarama described as ‘honoring the onset of night’?

Śukadeva presents the night as an auspicious setting for Their Vraja pastimes; by “honoring” it, the verse conveys Their joyful, divine play amidst the devotional beauty of Vṛndāvana.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Cultivate remembrance of God through sacred appreciation of nature—seeing beauty, fragrance, and calmness as invitations to bhakti and mindful devotion rather than mere sensory enjoyment.