Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 8

Bhāgavata-Māhātmya and the Complete Summary of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Devanagari script

विदुरोद्धवसंवाद: क्षत्तृमैत्रेययोस्तत: । पुराणसंहिताप्रश्न‍ो महापुरुषसंस्थिति: ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

viduroddhava-saṁvādaḥ kṣattṛ-maitreyayos tataḥ purāṇa-saṁhitā-praśno mahā-puruṣa-saṁsthitiḥ

Translation

This scripture also recounts Vidura’s discussions with Uddhava and then with Maitreya, inquiries into the subject matter of this Purāṇa, and how at pralaya the entire creation is gathered up and concluded within the body of the Supreme Lord, the Mahāpuruṣa.

Synonyms

• विदुर-उद्धव-संवादः: the dialogue of Vidura and Uddhava
• विदुर-उद्धव-संवादः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विदुर (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्धव (प्रातिपदिक) + संवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विदुरोद्धवयोः संवादः)

• क्षत्तृ-मैत्रेययोः: of Kṣattā (Vidura) and Maitreya
• क्षत्तृ-मैत्रेययोः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्तृ (प्रातिपदिक) + मैत्रेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (क्षत्ताच मैत्रेयश्च)

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/कारण-अव्यय (adverb: ‘then/thereafter’)

• पुराण-संहिता-प्रश्नः: the question about the Purāṇa compendium
• पुराण-संहिता-प्रश्नः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक) + संहिता (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रश्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पुराणसंहितायाः प्रश्नः)

• महापुरुष-संस्थितिः: the position/nature of the Supreme Person
• महापुरुष-संस्थितिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (महापुरुषस्य संस्थितिः)

Characters & Entities

• Vidura
• Uddhava
• Maitreya
• Mahā-puruṣa

FAQs

What topics are summarized in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 12.12.8?

It lists key subject-matter: Vidura’s dialogue with Uddhava, Vidura’s discussion with Maitreya, an inquiry into the Purāṇic compilation, and the established truth about the Supreme Person (Mahā-puruṣa).

Why are the Vidura–Uddhava and Vidura–Maitreya conversations important in the Bhagavata Purana?

They are major teaching sections where a sincere seeker (Vidura) receives bhakti-centered guidance—first from Uddhava and then from the sage Maitreya—clarifying divine truth and the Lord’s position.

How can the teaching of ‘Mahā-puruṣa saṁsthiti’ be applied in modern life?

By grounding one’s worldview in the Supreme Lord’s central position—seeing life, duty, and suffering in relation to Him—one gains clarity, steadiness, and a bhakti-oriented purpose.