Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 30

Nābhāga’s Inheritance, Śiva’s Verdict, and the Rise of Ambarīṣa—Prelude to Durvāsā’s Offense

Devanagari script

व्रतान्ते कार्तिके मासि त्रिरात्रं समुपोषित: । स्‍नात: कदाचित् कालिन्द्यां हरिं मधुवनेऽर्चयत् ॥ ३० ॥

Transliteration

vratānte kārtike māsi tri-rātraṁ samupoṣitaḥ snātaḥ kadācit kālindyāṁ hariṁ madhuvane ’rcayat

Translation

ورت کے اختتام پر ماہِ کارتک میں انہوں نے تین راتوں کا روزہ رکھا؛ پھر کالندی (یمنا) میں غسل کرکے مدھون میں ہری کی پوجا کی۔

Synonyms

• vrata-ante: at the end of the vow
• vrata-ante: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (vratasya ante)

• kārtike: in (the month of) Kārtika
• kārtike: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (qualifying māsi)

• māsi: in the month
• māsi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative), एकवचनम्

• tri-rātram: for three nights
• tri-rātram: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + rātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative; duration), एकवचनम्; द्विगु-समासः

• samupoṣitaḥ: having fasted
• samupoṣitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-upa-√vas (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘having fasted’

• snātaḥ: having bathed
• snātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √snā (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• kadācit: once / at some time
• kadācit: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadācit (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषणम् (temporal adverb)

• kālindyām: in the (river) Kālindī (Yamunā)
• kālindyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kālindī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative), एकवचनम्

• harim: Hari
• harim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• madhu-vane: in Madhuvana
• madhu-vane: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक) + vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (Locative), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (madhuno vanam)

• arcayat: he worshipped
• arcayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/अनद्यतनभूत), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

Characters & Entities

• Ambarīṣa Mahārāja
• Hari
• Kālin̄dī (Yamunā)
• Madhuvana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about observing vows (vrata) in the month of Kārtika?

This verse highlights Kārtika as a sacred time for intensified devotion—fasting, purifying bath in a holy river, and worshiping Lord Hari with focused dedication.

Why did Ambarīṣa Mahārāja bathe in the Yamunā (Kālindī) and worship Hari in Madhuvana?

Because his vow culminated in direct devotional service—purification through sacred bathing and formal worship (arcana) of Hari at a holy tīrtha associated with the Lord.

How can fasting and worship from this Bhagavatam verse be applied in modern life?

One can adopt a manageable vrata (self-discipline), add a period of simplicity or fasting, and conclude it with sincere worship—such as prayer, kīrtana, or temple/altar service—done with steadiness and devotion.