Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 16

Parīkṣit’s Comprehensive Inquiries and the Bhāgavata as Śabda-avatāra

Devanagari script

प्रमाणमण्डकोशस्य बाह्याभ्यन्तरभेदत: । महतां चानुचरितं वर्णाश्रमविनिश्चय: ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

pramāṇam aṇḍa-kośasya bāhyābhyantara-bhedataḥ mahatāṁ cānucaritaṁ varṇāśrama-viniścayaḥ

Translation

অনুগ্রহ করে ব্রহ্মাণ্ড-কোষের বাহির ও অন্তরের বিভাগসমূহ প্রমাণসহ বর্ণনা করুন, মহাত্মাদের চরিত্র-আচরণ, এবং বর্ণাশ্রমের ধর্ম-নির্ণয়ও বলুন।

Synonyms

• प्रमाणम्: measure; extent
• प्रमाणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन; abstract noun

• अण्ड-कोशस्य: of the cosmic egg-shell
• अण्ड-कोशस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + कोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/genitive), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अण्डस्य कोशः)

• बाह्य-अभ्यन्तर-भेदतः: according to the external and internal divisions
• बाह्य-अभ्यन्तर-भेदतः: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यन्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + भेद (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) = 'from/according to'; द्वन्द्व-समास (बाह्यश्च अभ्यन्तरश्च) + भेद; अर्थे: 'भेदतः'

• महताम्: of the great (souls)
• महताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अनुचरितम्: the account; the deeds (narration)
• अनुचरितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनु-चर् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत (past passive participle used as noun)

• वर्ण-आश्रम-विनिश्चयः: the determination of varṇa and āśrama (social orders)
• वर्ण-आश्रम-विनिश्चयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिश्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (वर्णाश्रमयोः विनिश्चयः)

Purport

Mahārāja Parīkṣit is a typical devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and as such, he is anxious to know the complete significance of the creation of the Lord. He wants to know the inner and outer space of the universal form. It is quite fitting for the real searcher of knowledge to know all about this. Those who are of the opinion that the devotees of the Lord are satisfied with mere sentiments can find in the inquiries of Mahārāja Parīkṣit good lessons as to how inquisitive a pure devotee is to know things in their true perfection. The modern scientist is unable to know about the inner space of the universal horizon, and what to speak of the space which covers the universe.

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the structure and measurements of the universe?

This verse signals Śukadeva’s intention to explain the brahmāṇḍa (universal shell)—its measurements and its external and internal divisions—as part of Bhagavata cosmology.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī speak about varṇāśrama along with cosmology?

Śukadeva presents both cosmic order and human dharma together: understanding creation’s design is complemented by learning saintly conduct and the proper duties of varṇa and āśrama for spiritual progress.

How can ‘mahatām anucaritam’ (following great souls) be applied in modern life?

One can seek guidance from authentic sādhus and scriptures, adopt disciplined habits (truthfulness, compassion, devotion), and align daily responsibilities with spiritual practice rather than mere social pressure.