Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 18
Varṣa-devatā Worship in Jambūdvīpa: Hayagrīva/Hayaśīrṣa, Nṛsiṁha, Kāmadeva (Pradyumna), Matsya, Kūrma, and Varāha
ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रूं ॐ नमो भगवते हृषीकेशाय सर्वगुणविशेषैर्विलक्षितात्मने आकूतीनां चित्तीनां चेतसां विशेषाणां चाधिपतये षोडशकलायच्छन्दोमयायान्नमयायामृतमयाय सर्वमयाय सहसे ओजसे बलाय कान्ताय कामाय नमस्ते उभयत्र भूयात् ॥ १८ ॥
om hrāṁ hrīṁ hrūṁ oṁ namo bhagavate hṛṣīkeśāya sarva-guṇa-viśeṣair vilakṣitātmane ākūtīnāṁ cittīnāṁ cetasāṁ viśeṣāṇāṁ cādhipataye ṣoḍaśa-kalāya cchando-mayāyānna-mayāyāmṛta-mayāya sarva-mayāya sahase ojase balāya kāntāya kāmāya namas te ubhayatra bhūyāt.
Om hrāṁ hrīṁ hrūṁ. Meine ehrerbietigen Verneigungen dem Bhagavān Hṛṣīkeśa, dem Lenker aller Sinne. Er ist der höchste Ātman, ausgezeichnet durch alle besonderen Eigenschaften, und der Herr über die Funktionen von Wille, Geist und Intellekt. Die fünf Sinnesobjekte und die elf Sinne, einschließlich des Geistes, sind seine Teilmanifestationen. Er ist allumfassend, gegenwärtig als die sechzehn kalās vom annamaya an; als sahas, ojas, bala, kānti und kāma nährt und erhält er alle Wesen. Der höchste Sinn der Veden ist seine Verehrung; möge er uns in dieser und in der kommenden Welt günstig sein.
In this verse the word māyāmaya is further explained in regard to how the Lord expands His mercy in different ways. Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate: the energies of the Supreme Lord are understood in different ways. In this verse He is described as the original source of everything, even our body, senses, mind, activities, prowess, bodily strength, mental strength and determination for securing the necessities of life. Indeed, the Lord’s energies can be perceived in everything. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.8) , raso ’ham apsu kaunteya: the taste of water is also Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the active principle of everything we need for our maintenance.
FAQs
This verse addresses the Lord as Hṛṣīkeśa, the master of the senses, and praises Him as the adhipati (ruler) of intentions, mental impressions, and the mind’s many varieties—affirming that inner life is ultimately governed by Him.
The prayer glorifies the Lord as complete and fully manifest—described as possessing sixteen parts/phases and as the essence of Vedic chandas (meters), indicating His fullness and His identity as the foundation of Vedic revelation.
Use it as a meditation: offer your mind, intentions, and senses to Hṛṣīkeśa, remembering that real strength, beauty, and fulfillment come from aligning desire with devotion, seeking auspiciousness “in both worlds.”