Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 38
Garga Muni Names Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; the Butter-Thief Pastimes; Yaśodā Sees the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
सा तत्र ददृशे विश्वं जगत्स्थास्नु च खं दिश: । साद्रिद्वीपाब्धिभूगोलं सवाय्वग्नीन्दुतारकम् ॥ ३७ ॥ ज्योतिश्चक्रं जलं तेजो नभस्वान्वियदेव च । वैकारिकाणीन्द्रियाणि मनो मात्रा गुणास्त्रय: ॥ ३८ ॥ एतद् विचित्रं सहजीवकाल- स्वभावकर्माशयलिङ्गभेदम् । सूनोस्तनौ वीक्ष्य विदारितास्ये व्रजं सहात्मानमवाप शङ्काम्? ॥ ३९ ॥
sā tatra dadṛśe viśvaṁ jagat sthāsnu ca khaṁ diśaḥ sādri-dvīpābdhi-bhūgolaṁ sa-vāyv-agnīndu-tārakam
When Kṛṣṇa opened His mouth wide by the order of mother Yaśodā, she saw within His mouth all moving and nonmoving entities, outer space, and all directions, along with mountains, islands, oceans, the surface of the earth, the blowing wind, fire, the moon and the stars. She saw the planetary systems, water, light, air, sky, and creation by transformation of ahaṅkāra. She also saw the senses, the mind, sense perception, and the three qualities, goodness, passion and ignorance. She saw the time allotted for the living entities, she saw natural instinct and the reactions of karma, and she saw desires and different varieties of bodies, moving and nonmoving. Seeing all these aspects of the cosmic manifestation, along with herself and Vṛndāvana-dhāma, she became doubtful and fearful of her son’s nature.
All the cosmic manifestations that exist on the gross and subtle elements, as well as the means of their agitation, the three guṇas, the living entity, creation, maintenance, annihilation and everything going on in the external energy of the Lord — all this comes from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda. Everything is within the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) . Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram: everything in the material nature ( prakṛti ) works under His control. Because all these manifestations come from Govinda, they could all be visible within the mouth of Govinda. Quite astonished, mother Yaśodā was afraid because of intense maternal affection. She could not believe that within the mouth of her son such things could appear. Yet she saw them, and therefore she was struck with fear and wonder.
FAQs
In this verse, Yaśodā beholds within Kṛṣṇa’s mouth the cosmic arrangement—luminaries, elements like water, fire, wind, sky and its presiding deities—along with the senses, mind, subtle sense-objects, and the three guṇas, revealing that the universe rests within Him.
In the Damodara pastime narrative, Yaśodā looked into Kṛṣṇa’s mouth to check for dirt; by His divine will she was shown the universal form, momentarily revealing His supreme nature even while He plays as her child.
Recognize that mind and senses operate under the guṇas; by cultivating sattva through clean habits, truthfulness, and devotion (bhakti), one steadies the mind and redirects the senses toward remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.