Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

तत्र तत्र विनिक्षिप्तनानाशिल्पोपशोभितम् । महामरकतस्थल्या जुष्टं विद्रुमवेदिभि: ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

tatra tatra vinikṣipta- nānā-śilpopaśobhitam mahā-marakata-sthalyā juṣṭaṁ vidruma-vedibhiḥ

Translation

Vẻ đẹp của cung điện được tăng thêm bởi những hoa văn chạm khắc nghệ thuật đặt rải rác trên tường. Nền lát bằng ngọc lục bảo, còn các bệ đài làm bằng san hô.

Synonyms

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• tatra: here and there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति (here and there)

• vinikṣipta: placed
• vinikṣipta: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-ni-√kṣip (धातु) + kta → vinikṣipta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'placed, set'

• nānā: various
• nānā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय-विशेषणम्; 'various'

• śilpa: craftwork, artistry
• śilpa: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śilpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे; समासाङ्ग (art/craft)

• upaśobhitam: beautified
• upaśobhitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: upa-√śubh (धातु) + kta → upaśobhita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'adorned/beautified by' (nānā-śilpa)

• mahā: great
• mahā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'marakata' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• marakata: emerald
• marakata: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: marakata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे; समासाङ्ग

• sthalyā: with an emerald platform
• sthalyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthalī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया एकवचनम्; 'mahā-marakata-sthalī' = emerald platform/flooring

• juṣṭam: adorned with
• juṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √juṣ (धातु) + kta → juṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: 'frequented/adorned with'

• vidruma: coral
• vidruma: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidruma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; 'vedī' इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• vedibhiḥ: with coral altars
• vedibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया बहुवचनम्; 'vidruma-vedī' = coral altars/platforms

Purport

At the present moment people are very proud of their architectural art, yet floors are generally decorated with colored cement. It appears, however, that the castle constructed by the yogic powers of Kardama Muni had floors of emerald with coral daises.

Characters & Entities

• Kardama Muni
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam describe about Kardama Muni’s palace in Canto 3 Chapter 23?

This verse says the palace was richly adorned with fine artistry, with emerald-like floors and coral platforms, emphasizing extraordinary, divinely arranged opulence.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe such opulence in the story of Kardama and Devahūti?

He highlights how material splendor can appear by higher arrangement in the Lord’s plan, while the saintly remain focused on dharma and devotion rather than mere luxury.

What is a practical takeaway from Bhagavatam 3.23.17 for modern life?

Beauty and comfort can be appreciated as gifts, but one should cultivate inner detachment—using prosperity responsibly without letting it replace spiritual purpose.