FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.11.14

सम्मार्जितमहामार्गरथ्यापणकचत्वराम् । सिक्तां गन्धजलैरुप्तां फलपुष्पाक्षताङ्कुरै: ॥ १४ ॥
sammārjita-mahā-mārga-
[sammaarjita-mahaa-maarga-]
rathyāpaṇaka-catvarām
[rathyaapanaka-chatvaraam]
siktāṁ gandha-jalair uptāṁ
[siktaam gandha-jalair uptaam]
phala-puṣpākṣatāṅkuraiḥ
[phala-pushpaakshataankuraih]
sammārjita — thoroughly cleansed mahā-mārga — highways rathya — lanes and subways āpaṇaka — shopping marketplaces catvarām — public meeting places siktām — moistened with gandha-jalaiḥ — scented water uptām — was strewn with phala — fruits puṣpa — flowers akṣata — unbroken aṅkuraiḥ — seeds.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sammārjita-mahā-mārga-
sammārjita
thoroughly cleansed
mahā-mārga
highways
rathyāpaṇaka-catvarām
rathya
lanes and subways
āpaṇaka
shopping marketplaces
catvarām
public meeting places
siktāṁ gandha-jalair uptāṁ
siktām
moistened with
gandha-jalaiḥ
scented water
uptām
was strewn with
phala-puṣpākṣatāṅkuraiḥ
phala
fruits
puṣpa
flowers
akṣata
unbroken
aṅkuraiḥ
seeds.
The highways, subways, lanes, markets and public meeting places were all thoroughly cleansed and then moistened with scented water. And to welcome the Lord, fruits, flowers and unbroken seeds were strewn everywhere.

Scented waters prepared by distilling flowers like rose and keora were requisitioned to wet the roads, streets and lanes of Dvārakā-dhāma. Such places, along with the marketplace and public meeting places, were thoroughly cleansed. From the above description, it appears that the city of Dvārakā-dhāma was considerably big, containing many highways, streets and public meeting places with parks, gardens and reservoirs of water, all very nicely decorated with flowers and fruits. And to welcome the Lord such flowers and fruits with unbroken seeds of grain were also strewn over the public places. Unbroken seeds of grain or fruits in the seedling stage were considered auspicious, and they are still so used by the Hindus in general on festival days.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Festoons had been placed over the gates and doors. The multitude of colorful flags with insignias and with auspicious patterns prevented the heat from entering.
Commentary

Gopuras are city gates. Dvāras are doors to houses. The heat of the sun was stopped from entering within by the flags.

Highways and markets were cleansed and moistened with scented water; fruits, flowers and unbroken seeds strewn. Welcome is sensory. We can prepare a place for the Lord through smell, sight, and care.
Reflection Questions
  • What scent or sight could welcome my next practice?
  • Where am I treating the senses as distractions when they are doorways?
📝 My note

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