Shloka 53

Brahmā’s Bewilderment and Kṛṣṇa Becoming the Calves and Cowherd Boys

Brahma-vimohana-līlā

Devanagari script

कालस्वभावसंस्कारकामकर्मगुणादिभि: । स्वमहिध्वस्तमहिभिर्मूर्तिमद्भ‍िरुपासिता: ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

kāla-svabhāva-saṁskāra- kāma-karma-guṇādibhiḥ sva-mahi-dhvasta-mahibhir mūrtimadbhir upāsitāḥ

Translation

Then Brahmā saw that kāla (time), svabhāva (one’s nature), saṁskāra (conditioning), kāma (desire), karma (fruitive action) and the guṇas (the modes)—their independence wholly subdued by the Lord’s potency—had also assumed forms and were worshiping those viṣṇu-mūrtis.

Synonyms

• काल-स्वभाव-संस्कार-काम-कर्म-गुण-आदिभिः: with time, nature, impressions, desire, action, qualities, etc.
• काल-स्वभाव-संस्कार-काम-कर्म-गुण-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वभाव (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; समाहारार्थ-तत्पुरुषः ‘…आदिभिः’ = ‘with time, nature, conditioning, desire, action, qualities, etc.’

• स्व-महि-ध्वस्त-महिभिः: by those whose glory was eclipsed by His own glory
• स्व-महि-ध्वस्त-महिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + महि/महिमा (प्रातिपदिक) + ध्वस्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; ध्वंस्) + महि/महिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (स्वमहिना ध्वस्ता महिः/महिमा येषाम्) विशेषणम् (मूर्तिमद्भिः)

• मूर्तिमद्भिः: by embodied (beings)
• मूर्तिमद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मूर्तिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (उपासिताः—उपासकाः)

• उपासिताः: were worshipped
• उपासिताः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप√आस् (धातु) + क्त → उपासित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि; (they) ‘were worshipped’

Purport

No one but Viṣṇu has any independence. If we develop consciousness of this fact, then we are in actual Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We should always remember that Kṛṣṇa is the only supreme master and that everyone else is His servant ( ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya ). Be one even Nārāyaṇa or Lord Śiva, everyone is subordinate to Kṛṣṇa ( śiva-viriñci-nutam ). Even Baladeva is subordinate to Kṛṣṇa. This is a fact.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

What does Śrīmad Bhāgavatam say about being controlled by kāla (time) and the guṇas?

This verse describes conditioned beings as overpowered by time, material nature, impressions, desire, action, and the modes—therefore their understanding and worship are shaped by these forces rather than pure spiritual vision.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention worship by “embodied” beings in Canto 10 Chapter 13?

In the context of Brahmā’s astonishment at Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy, Śukadeva highlights that those bound to bodily identity and material conditioning tend to approach divinity through limited, form-based worship driven by material influences.

How can I apply this teaching about saṁskāra, kāma, and karma in modern life?

Notice how habits, desires, and past conditioning steer your choices; then deliberately cultivate sādhana—hearing, chanting, and mindful action—to reduce impulsive karma-driven living and move toward devotion guided by higher values.