Shloka 31

Kardama Muni’s Mystic Opulence, Devahūti’s Rejuvenation, and the Turning Toward Fearlessness

Devanagari script

स्‍नातं कृतशिर:स्‍नानं सर्वाभरणभूषितम् । निष्कग्रीवं वलयिनं कूजत्काञ्चननूपुरम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

snātaṁ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaṁ sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitam niṣka-grīvaṁ valayinaṁ kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram

Translation

Ang buong katawan niya, pati ulo, ay naligo nang lubos. Siya’y pinalamutian ng lahat ng alahas—kuwintas na may nishka (palawit), mga pulseras, at mga gintong anklet na kumakalansing.

Synonyms

• snātam: bathed
• snātam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: snāta (स्ना धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP) used adjectivally; विशेषण (of ātmānam understood)

• kṛta-śiraḥ-snānam: having performed head-bath
• kṛta-śiraḥ-snānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ धातु, क्त) + śiras (प्रातिपदिक) + snāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (śiraḥ-snānaṃ kṛtam yasya); śiraḥ-snāna itself = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (śirasaḥ snānam)

• sarva-ābharaṇa-bhūṣitam: adorned with all ornaments
• sarva-ābharaṇa-bhūṣitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + ābharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūṣita (भूष् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (sarvaiḥ ābharaṇaiḥ bhūṣitam = adorned with all ornaments); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• niṣka-grīvam: with a gold neck-ornament
• niṣka-grīvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣka (प्रातिपदिक) + grīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (niṣkena grīvā yuktā / niṣka-grīvā: having a niṣka on the neck); विशेषण

• valayinam: wearing bracelets
• valayinam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: valayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (wearing bracelets/bangles)

• kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram: with jingling golden anklets
• kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kūjat (कूज् धातु, शतृ) + kāñcana (प्रातिपदिक) + nūpura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-समुच्चय: kāñcana-nūpura (कर्मधारय: golden anklet) + kūjat (शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त present participle: jingling) qualifying nūpura; whole as adjective of person

Purport

The word kṛta-śiraḥ-snānam appears here. According to the smṛti-śāstra’s directions for daily duties, ladies are allowed to bathe daily up to the neck. The hair on the head does not necessarily have to be washed daily because the mass of wet hair may cause a cold. For ladies, therefore, taking a bath up to the neck is ordinarily prescribed, and they take a full bath only on certain occasions. On this occasion Devahūti took a full bath and washed her hair very nicely. When a lady takes an ordinary bath it is called mala-snāna, and when she takes a full bath, including the head, it is called śiraḥ-snāna. At this time she needs sufficient oil to smear on her head. That is the direction of the commentators of smṛti-śāstra.

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about beauty and ornamentation in devotional life?

This verse portrays ornamentation and personal cleanliness as refined and auspicious when situated within dharma—here, describing a saintly householder whose presentation supports a sacred, devotional atmosphere rather than vanity.

Who is being described in Bhagavatam 3.23.31, and why is this description given?

Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes Kardama Muni’s well-adorned appearance as part of the narrative setting in which the saintly couple’s household life unfolds, highlighting dignity, purity, and the elevated tone of their union.

How can a modern devotee apply the teaching of this shloka in daily life?

Maintain cleanliness, simplicity, and dignified presentation, using material things as supportive tools for devotion and responsibility—without making appearance the center of identity.