Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 37
Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control
पृथिवी वायुराकाश आपो ज्योतिरहं महान् । विकार: पुरुषोऽव्यक्तं रज: सत्त्वं तम: परम् । अहमेतत्प्रसङ्ख्यानं ज्ञानं तत्त्वविनिश्चय: ॥ ३७ ॥
pṛthivī vāyur ākāśa āpo jyotir ahaṁ mahān vikāraḥ puruṣo ’vyaktaṁ rajaḥ sattvaṁ tamaḥ param aham etat prasaṅkhyānaṁ jñānaṁ tattva-viniścayaḥ
أنا الصورة والطعم والرائحة واللمس والصوت؛ وأنا الأنا الكاذبة والمهتَتَفّا (المهات-تتفا)؛ وأنا الأرض والماء والنار والهواء والسماء؛ وأنا الكائن الحي والطبيعة المادية غير المتجلية؛ وأنا صفات السَّتْو والرَّجَس والتَّمَس؛ وأنا أيضًا الربّ المتعالي. وكل ذلك، مع معرفة سمات كلّ واحدٍ منها واليقين الثابت الناتج عن تلك المعرفة، إنما هو أنا.
Having given a brief but detailed synopsis of His personal opulences within this world, the Lord now briefly summarizes the opulences that expand from His bodily effulgence. It is stated in Brahma-saṁhitā that all of the material universes with their infinite varieties, transformations and opulences rest on the bodily effulgence of the Lord. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has elaborately explained this point in his commentary on this verse.
FAQs
This verse states that the Lord identifies Himself with earth, water, fire, air, and ether—showing His all-pervading presence as the basis and inner reality of the elements.
In His teaching to Uddhava, Krishna reveals that both the manifest cosmos (including mahat and transformations) and the unmanifest source (avyakta), along with the cosmic purusha principle, ultimately rest in Him and are understood through Him.
Recognize how goodness, passion, and ignorance influence thoughts and choices, and cultivate devotion and steady discernment so your identity is not controlled by shifting moods and material impulses.