Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 57

Diti’s Puṁsavana Vow, Indra’s Intervention, and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

नित्यं वनात्सुमनस: फलमूलसमित्कुशान् । पत्राङ्कुरमृदोऽपश्च काले काल उपाहरत् ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

nityaṁ vanāt sumanasaḥ phala-mūla-samit-kuśān patrāṅkura-mṛdo ’paś ca kāle kāla upāharat

Translation

他每日从林中带来芬芳之花、果实、根茎、祭祀用柴薪与库沙草；又按时送来树叶、嫩芽、土与水，分毫不误。

Synonyms

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावेन प्रयोगः; क्रियाविशेषण (adverbial accusative: ‘always’)

• वनात्: from the forest
• वनात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative); एकवचन

• सुमनसः: of flowers
• सुमनसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुमनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th/Genitive); एकवचन; (flowers)

• फलान्: fruits
• फलान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• मूलानि: roots
• मूलानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• समिधः: firewood sticks
• समिधः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• कुशान्: kuśa grass
• कुशान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• पत्राणि: leaves
• पत्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• अङ्कुरान्: sprouts
• अङ्कुरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्कुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• मृदः: clay/earth
• मृदः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन

• अपः: water
• अपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative); बहुवचन; (plural tantum: waters)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्योपपत्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• काले: at the proper time
• काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी (7th/Locative); एकवचन; समये (at the proper time)

• कालः: he (being timely)
• कालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); एकवचन; (epithet: ‘timely/seasonal’)

• उपाहरत्: he brought
• उपाहरत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप+आ+हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; परस्मैपद

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about daily disciplined service (seva)?

This verse highlights steady, punctual service—bringing necessary items daily and at the right time—showing that devotion is expressed through consistent, practical duty.

Why does the Bhagavatam emphasize bringing kuśa, water, fruits, and firewood?

These are standard necessities for sacred observances and household rites; the verse underscores readiness to support a vow or spiritual practice with proper materials and care.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Maintain consistency in spiritual routines and responsibilities—serve regularly, prepare what is needed, and honor time and punctuality as part of sincere practice.