Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 10
Transmission of Bhāgavata Wisdom and Brahmā’s Vision of the Supreme Lord on Ananta
उदाप्लुतं विश्वमिदं तदासीद् यन्निद्रयामीलितदृङ् न्यमीलयत् । अहीन्द्रतल्पेऽधिशयान एक: कृतक्षण: स्वात्मरतौ निरीह: ॥ १० ॥
udāplutaṁ viśvam idaṁ tadāsīd yan nidrayāmīlita-dṛṅ nyamīlayat ahīndra-talpe ’dhiśayāna ekaḥ kṛta-kṣaṇaḥ svātma-ratau nirīhaḥ
At that time when the three worlds were submerged in water, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu was alone, lying on His bedstead, the great snake Ananta, and although He appeared to be in slumber in His own internal potency, free from the action of the external energy, His eyes were not completely closed.
The Lord is eternally enjoying transcendental bliss by His internal potency, whereas the external potency is suspended during the time of the dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.
FAQs
This verse explains that when the Lord withdraws into yogic sleep and closes His eyes, the universe is seen as inundated—signaling a phase of cosmic dissolution and rest before creation proceeds again.
Śukadeva describes the Lord resting on Ananta, the serpent-king, to show His supreme independence and the cosmic foundation of creation—He remains steady, supported by Ananta, while the material universe is in a dormant state.
The verse points to inner fulfillment: cultivate spiritual practice (bhakti, japa, meditation on the Lord) so peace is not dependent on external circumstances, reducing restless over-effort and anxiety.