Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā: Descent, Cosmic Pathways, and Śiva’s Praise of Saṅkarṣaṇa
यत्र ह देवपतय: स्वै: स्वैर्गणनायकैर्विहितमहार्हणा: सर्वर्तुकुसुमस्तबकफलकिसलयश्रियाऽऽनम्यमानविटपलता विटपिभिरुपशुम्भमानरुचिरकाननाश्रमायतनवर्षगिरिद्रोणीषु तथा चामलजलाशयेषु विकचविविधनववनरुहामोदमुदितराजहंसजलकुक्कुटकारण्डवसारसचक्रवाकादिभिर्मधुकरनिकराकृतिभिरुपकूजितेषु जलक्रीडादिभिर्विचित्रविनोदै: सुललितसुरसुन्दरीणां कामकलिलविलासहासलीलावलोकाकृष्टमनोदृष्टय: स्वैरं विहरन्ति ॥ १३ ॥
yatra ha deva-patayaḥ svaiḥ svair gaṇa-nāyakair vihita-mahārhaṇāḥ sarvartu-kusuma-stabaka-phala-kisalaya-śriyānamyamāna-viṭapa-latā-viṭapibhir upaśumbhamāna-rucira-kānanāśramāyatana-varṣa-giri-droṇīṣu tathā cāmala-jalāśayeṣu vikaca-vividha-nava-vanaruhāmoda-mudita-rāja-haṁsa-jala-kukkuṭa-kāraṇḍava-sārasa-cakravākādibhir madhukara-nikarākṛtibhir upakūjiteṣu jala-krīḍādibhir vicitra-vinodaiḥ sulalita-sura-sundarīṇāṁ kāma-kalila-vilāsa-hāsa-līlāvalokākṛṣṭa-mano-dṛṣṭayaḥ svairaṁ viharanti.
Sa bawat lupain, ang mga pinunong deva, kasama ang kani-kanilang mga tagapanguna ng pangkat, ay pinararangalan sa dakilang pagsamba. Ang mga hardin at mga ashram ay pinalalamutian ng mga baging at punong-kahoy na yumuyuko sa ganda ng mga bulaklak ayon sa panahon, mga bunga, at mga murang usbong. Sa mga lambak ng mga bundok na hangganan ay may malalawak na lawa ng malinaw na tubig, punô ng bagong sibol na mga lotus; sa halimuyak nito ay nagsasaya ang mga sisne, bibe, ibong-tubig, karandava, tagak, chakravāka at iba pa, at ang ugong ng mga bubuyog ay pumupuno sa hangin. Sa tabi ng lawa sila’y malayang namamasyal, naglalaro sa tubig at sa sari-saring aliw. Ang mga apsara ay ngumingiti at tumitingin nang mapang-akit, hinahatak ang puso ng mga asawa; ang mga lingkod ay laging naghahandog ng paste ng sandalwood at mga kuwintas ng bulaklak. Sa ganitong paraan, ang mga naninirahan sa walong makalangit na varṣa ay nagagalak, naaakit sa kilos ng kabaligtarang kasarian.
Here is a description of the lower heavenly planets. The inhabitants of those planets enjoy life in a pleasing atmosphere of clear lakes filled with newly grown lotus flowers and gardens filled with fruits, flowers, various kinds of birds and humming bees. In that atmosphere they enjoy life with their very beautiful wives, who are always sexually stimulated. Nonetheless, they are all devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as will be explained in subsequent verses. The inhabitants of this earth also desire such heavenly enjoyment, but when they somehow or other achieve imitation pleasures like sex and intoxication, they completely forget the service of the Supreme Lord. In the heavenly planets, however, although the residents enjoy superior sense gratification, they never forget their positions as eternal servants of the Supreme Being.
FAQs
This verse depicts Jambūdvīpa’s varṣa regions as filled with ever-blooming forests, fruit-laden trees, pure lakes, swans and other birds, humming bees, and delightful hermitage-like settings where celestial beings freely enjoy.
In the geographic and cosmological narration of Jambūdvīpa, Śukadeva illustrates the opulence and attractions present in higher realms, showing how even exalted beings become absorbed in refined enjoyment within such divine settings.
The verse highlights how beauty and pleasure can strongly pull the mind and senses; a devotee can learn to practice mindful restraint and redirect attraction toward lasting spiritual purpose rather than becoming carried away by sensual charm.