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Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 30

Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect

न हि सत्यस्य नानात्वमविद्वान् यदि मन्यते । नानात्वं छिद्रयोर्यद्वज्ज्योतिषोर्वातयोरिव ॥ ३० ॥

na hi satyasya nānātvam avidvān yadi manyate nānātvaṁ chidrayor yadvaj jyotiṣor vātayor iva

There is no material duality in the Absolute Truth. The duality perceived by an ignorant person is like the difference between the sky contained in an empty pot and the sky outside the pot, or the difference between the reflection of the sun in water and the sun itself in the sky, or the difference between the vital air within one living body and that within another body.

not
:
Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
Formनिषेध-अव्यय (negation)
हिindeed
हि:
Nipata (निपात)
TypeIndeclinable
Roothi (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (particle); निश्चयार्थ (indeed)
सत्यस्यof the real
सत्यस्य:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootsatya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th); एकवचन (Singular)
नानात्वम्multiplicity/diversity
नानात्वम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootnānātva (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc); एकवचन
अविद्वान्an ignorant person
अविद्वान्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Roota-vidvas (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); एकवचन; नञ्-समास (one who is not knowing)
यदिif
यदि:
Hetu (हेतु/शर्त)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootyadi (अव्यय)
Formशर्तार्थक-अव्यय (if)
मन्यतेthinks/considers
मन्यते:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootमन् (धातु)
Formलट्-लकार (Present); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन (Singular); आत्मनेपद
नानात्वम्multiplicity
नानात्वम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootnānātva (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc); एकवचन; (उपमेय/दृष्टान्तवाच्य)
छिद्रयोःof/in (two) holes
छिद्रयोः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootchidra (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Gen/Loc); द्विवचन (Dual)
यद्वत्just as
यद्वत्:
Upamana (उपमान)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootyadvat (अव्यय)
Formउपमानार्थक-अव्यय (just as/in the manner that)
ज्योतिषोःof/in (two) lights
ज्योतिषोः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootjyotis (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Gen/Loc); द्विवचन (Dual)
वातयोःof/in (two) winds
वातयोः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootvāta (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Gen/Loc); द्विवचन (Dual)
इवlike
इव:
Upamana (उपमान)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootiva (अव्यय)
Formउपमानार्थक-अव्यय (like/as)
Ś
Śukadeva Gosvāmī
M
Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

This verse states that the Absolute Truth is not truly multiple; perceived diversity arises from ignorance, like one space seeming divided by openings or one air seeming many.

In the context of pralaya and ultimate reality, Śukadeva clarifies that beyond cosmic changes and appearances, the Real is one—helping Parīkṣit fix his mind on the eternal Truth.

Train yourself to see beyond superficial divisions—ego, labels, and conflict—and remember the underlying unity of the self and the Supreme, which supports steadiness, compassion, and spiritual focus.