Nigama Kalpataror Galitam Phalam (The Ripened Fruit of the Vedas) — Word-by-Word Meaning
निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
निगम
nigama
the Vedas, the revealed scriptures
कल्पतरोः
kalpa-taroḥ
of the wish-fulfilling (desire) tree
गलितम्
galitam
fallen (fully ripened and dropped)
फलम्
phalam
the fruit
शुक-मुखात्
śuka-mukhāt
from the mouth of Shukadeva (also: from the parrot's beak)
अमृत-द्रव
amṛta-drava
the liquid nectar
संयुतम्
saṃyutam
enriched with, joined with
पिबत
pibata
drink! (an appeal to all)
भागवतम्
bhāgavatam
the Srimad Bhagavata
रसम्
rasam
the juice, the essence, the relish
आलयम्
ālayam
until liberation / again and again, completely
मुहुः
muhuḥ
repeatedly, again and again
अहो
aho
O! (an exclamation)
रसिकाः
rasikāḥ
O connoisseurs of transcendental relish
भुवि
bhuvi
on this earth
भावुकाः
bhāvukāḥ
O thoughtful and devoted souls
Complete Translation
O thoughtful and devoted connoisseurs of relish on this earth! Drink again and again, until liberation, the nectarean juice of the Srimad Bhagavata — the fully ripened fruit fallen from the wish-fulfilling desire-tree of the Vedas, made even more delicious by having passed through the mouth of Shukadeva Goswami.
Origin & History
Source: Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1, Chapter 1, Verse 3 (Mangalacharana)
Author: Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana)
Period: Puranic
After the opening philosophical invocation 'janmady asya yatah', Veda Vyasa offers this third verse to glorify the nature of the very scripture he is presenting. He compares the entire body of Vedic literature to a kalpa-taru, a wish-fulfilling tree, and declares the Srimad Bhagavata to be its single fully ripened fruit — and one rendered all the more nectarean by having been spoken by the parrot-like sage Shukadeva. The verse has become the rallying invitation of Bhagavata reciters everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigama kalpataror galitam phalam?▼
It is the third verse of the invocation of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana (Canto 1, Chapter 1, Verse 3). It famously describes the Bhagavata as the ripened fruit of the wish-fulfilling tree of the Vedas, made sweeter by the touch of Shukadeva's lips.
What is the double meaning of 'shuka' in the verse?▼
'Shuka' refers to Shukadeva Goswami, the great sage who narrated the Bhagavata. It also means 'parrot'. Just as a fruit pecked by a parrot becomes sweeter, the Bhagavata became more relishable by passing through Shukadeva's mouth — a beloved poetic play on words.
What does 'a-layam' (alayam) mean here?▼
It is often read as 'until liberation' (a-laya) or 'completely, again and again', urging devotees to keep drinking this nectar of the Bhagavata continuously until they attain the supreme goal.
When is this verse recited?▼
It is recited at the beginning of a Bhagavata recitation or Saptaha, together with the other invocatory verses, to invoke a taste for the divine narrations that follow.
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