Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 19

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

व्यतिरेकान्वयो यस्य जाग्रत्स्वप्नसुषुप्तिषु । मायामयेषु तद् ब्रह्म जीववृत्तिष्वपाश्रय: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

vyatirekānvayo yasya jāgrat-svapna-suṣuptiṣu māyā-mayeṣu tad brahma jīva-vṛttiṣv apāśrayaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Absolute Truth pervades waking, dreaming, and deep sleep; all phenomena manifested by māyā; and the functions of every living being—yet He also exists apart from all these. Established in His own transcendence, He alone is the ultimate, unique shelter.

Synonyms

• vyatireka-anvayaḥ: difference and concomitance
• vyatireka-anvayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyatireka (प्रातिपदिक) + anvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व): 'व्यतिरेकः च अन्वयः च'

• yasya: of whom/whose
• yasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सम्बन्धक सर्वनाम

• jāgrat-svapna-suṣuptiṣu: in waking, dream, and deep sleep (states)
• jāgrat-svapna-suṣuptiṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāgrat (प्रातिपदिक) + svapna (प्रातिपदिक) + suṣupti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (suṣupti-आधार), सप्तमी (Locative), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (states: waking, dream, deep sleep)

• māyā-mayeṣu: in those constituted of māyā
• māyā-mayeṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Qualifier in locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (मायामय = 'made of māyā'); विशेषण (qualifying the states/conditions)

• tat: that
• tat: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; संकेतक सर्वनाम

• brahma: Brahman
• brahma: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समनाधिकरण (in apposition with tat)

• jīva-vṛttiṣu: in the functions/modifications of the jīva
• jīva-vṛttiṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jīva (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (जीवस्य वृत्तयः)

• apāśrayaḥ: independent (without support)
• apāśrayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate adjective of brahma)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apāśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (supportless/independent; not resting on anything)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Brahman in waking, dream, and deep sleep?

It teaches that Brahman is the constant, independent reality recognized across all three states—present as the underlying support, yet untouched by the māyā-made experiences within them.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the three states (jāgrat, svapna, suṣupti) as māyā-maya?

To show that the changing experiences of consciousness belong to māyā and the jīva’s mental functions, while the Absolute (Brahman) remains separate, steady, and unattached as their basis.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life for spiritual progress?

By observing that thoughts and identities shift across states and moods, one can cultivate detachment and seek the unchanging Self/Absolute as the true foundation, reducing anxiety and strengthening spiritual focus.