Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 42

Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā

Devanagari script

भूतमात्रेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्ध्याशयात्मने । त्रिगुणेनाभिमानेन गूढस्वात्मानुभूतये ॥ ४२ ॥ नमोऽनन्ताय सूक्ष्माय कूटस्थाय विपश्चिते । नानावादानुरोधाय वाच्यवाचकशक्तये ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

bhūta-mātrendriya-prāṇa- mano-buddhy-āśayātmane tri-guṇenābhimānena gūḍha-svātmānubhūtaye

Translation

Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Soul of the elements, the tan-mātras, the senses, the life-air, and the mind, intelligence and consciousness. By Your arrangement the minute jīvas falsely identify with the three guṇas, and thus their realization of the true self is veiled. Again we bow to You—the unlimited Lord, supremely subtle and all-knowing, fixed in unchanging transcendence—who sanctions diverse philosophical views and who is the power sustaining both the expressed meaning and the words that express it.

Synonyms

• भूतमात्रेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्ध्याशयात्मने: to Him whose Self is (immanent in) elements, senses, prāṇa, mind, intellect, and inner disposition
• भूतमात्रेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्ध्याशयात्मने: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + मात्रा + इन्द्रिय + प्राण + मनस् + बुद्धि + आशय + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूत-मात्र-इन्द्रिय-प्राण-मनः-बुद्धि-आशय-आत्मा = ‘whose self is (as) elements, senses, life-breath, mind, intellect, and inner disposition’)

• त्रिगुणेन: by the three guṇas
• त्रिगुणेन: करण (तृतीया/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रयः गुणाः)

• अभिमानेन: by (egoic) identification / conceit
• अभिमानेन: करण (तृतीया/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• गूढस्वात्मानुभूतये: for the realization of the hidden true Self
• गूढस्वात्मानुभूतये: प्रयोजन (चतुर्थी/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गूढ + स्व + आत्मन् + अनुभूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गूढः स्वात्मा यस्य तस्य अनुभूतिः = realization/experience of the hidden true Self)

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Kāliya

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Self being hidden by the three gunas?

This verse states that the true Self (the Lord as the indwelling Self) is concealed by egoic identification with sattva, rajas, and tamas, yet He can be directly realized as the inmost reality.

Why did the Nāga-patnīs offer this philosophical prayer to Krishna?

Seeing Kṛṣṇa about to punish Kāliya, they surrendered and glorified Him as the inner Self of all beings, pleading for mercy by acknowledging His supreme, all-pervading nature.

Practical application of overcoming false identification in modern life?

Reduce ego-based identity (status, anger, pride) through devotion, self-inquiry, and disciplined living, remembering the Lord as the inner witness beyond changing moods and conditions.