Shloka 20
Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement
अन्ये च मायिनो मायामन्तर्धानाद्भुतात्मनाम् । मयं प्रकल्प्य वत्सं ते दुदुहुर्धारणामयीम् ॥ २० ॥
anye ca māyino māyām antardhānādbhutātmanām mayaṁ prakalpya vatsaṁ te duduhur dhāraṇāmayīm
Others, the wonder-working residents of Kimpuruṣa-loka, made the demon Maya their calf and milked forth dhāraṇā-born mystic powers—by which one vanishes at once from another’s sight and reappears in a different form.
It is said that the inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-loka can perform many wonderful mystic demonstrations. In other words, they can exhibit as many wonderful things as one can imagine. The inhabitants of this planet can do whatever they like, or whatever they imagine. Such powers are also mystic powers. The possession of such mystic power is called īśitā. The demons generally learn such mystic powers by the practice of yoga. In the Daśama-skandha (Tenth Canto) of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, there is a vivid description of how the demons appear before Kṛṣṇa in various wonderful forms. For instance, Bakāsura appeared before Kṛṣṇa and His cowherd boyfriends as a gigantic crane. While present on this planet, Lord Kṛṣṇa had to fight with many demons who could exhibit the wonderful mystic powers of Kimpuruṣa-loka. Although the inhabitants of Kimpuruṣa-loka are naturally endowed with such powers, one can attain these powers on this planet by performing different yogic practices.
FAQs
In this verse, dhāraṇā is described as a “milk” extracted from the Earth by mystic practitioners—indicating it is a real potency of focused mental resolve, attainable through yogic discipline.
The Bhagavatam presents different groups drawing different “essences” from the Earth. Here, mystics take Maya as the calf and use Antardhāna (linked with disappearance and wonder) as the vessel, symbolizing their orientation toward subtle powers and invisibility-like siddhis.
It highlights the power of sustained focus (dhāraṇā). Practically, disciplined concentration can be cultivated for spiritual practice, study, or service—while remembering that the Bhagavatam ultimately values devotion over fascination with mere mystic display.