Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 54

Dhruva’s Darśana, Transformative Prayers, and the Boon of the Dhruva-loka

Pole Star

Devanagari script

तत्र तत्रोपसंक्लृप्तैर्लसन्मकरतोरणै: । सवृन्दै: कदलीस्तम्भै: पूगपोतैश्च तद्विधै: ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

tatra tatropasaṅkḷptair lasan-makara-toraṇaiḥ savṛndaiḥ kadalī-stambhaiḥ pūga-potaiś ca tad-vidhaiḥ

Translation

城中处处搭起闪耀的“摩伽罗”形拱门；成簇的香蕉树柱与带叶带枝的槟榔树也在各处点缀其间。

Synonyms

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• तत्र: here and there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति-बल (repetition for emphasis)

• उपसंक्लृप्तैः: arranged, set up
• उपसंक्लृप्तैः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप+सम्+कॢप् (धातु) → उपसंक्लृप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकाले कर्मणि क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; साधन-भावे ‘...ैः’

• लसत्-मकर-तोरणैः: with shining makara-arches (decorative gateways)
• लसत्-मकर-तोरणैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लसत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + मकर (प्रातिपदिक) + तोरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (विशेषणपूर्वपद): ‘लसन्ति मकराः यस्मिन्/यत्र’ इति प्रकारेण मकर-तोरणम्; तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• स-वृन्दैः: along with groups (of decorations/people)
• स-वृन्दैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + वृन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उपपद-समासः: ‘वृन्दैः सह’ (together with groups); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• कदली-स्तम्भैः: with banana-stalk pillars
• कदली-स्तम्भैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कदली (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (षष्ठी): ‘कदल्याः स्तम्भाः’ (banana-stalk pillars); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• पूग-पोतैः: with areca-bundles (decorative clusters)
• पूग-पोतैः: करण (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूग (प्रातिपदिक) + पोत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘पूगस्य पोताः’ (bundles/rafts made of areca/pūga); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• तद्विधैः: with similar (things)
• तद्विधैः: विशेषण/करण (Qualifier of instruments)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः: ‘तद्विध’ = ‘तादृश’ (of that kind); तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

Purport

Auspicious ceremonies with decorations of the green leaves of palms, coconut trees, betel-nut trees and banana trees, and fruits, flowers and leaves, are an age-old custom in India. To receive his great son Dhruva Mahārāja, King Uttānapāda arranged a good reception, and all the citizens very enthusiastically took part with great jubilation.

FAQs

What is a makara-toraṇa mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

A makara-toraṇa is a ceremonial archway (toraṇa) decorated with makara motifs; this verse describes such shining gateways arranged as part of festive reception and celebration.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe decorations in Dhruva Maharaja’s story?

He is narrating the public joy and honor shown during Dhruva’s return—external celebration reflecting the kingdom’s reverence for a great devotee and the auspiciousness of bhakti.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Celebrate sacred moments—homecomings, temple events, devotional milestones—with cleanliness, beauty, and reverence, making the environment supportive of remembrance of the Lord and honoring devotees.