Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 12

Mārkaṇḍeya’s Request to See Māyā and the Vision of the Cosmic Deluge

Devanagari script

ततो व्यद‍ृश्यन्त चतु:समुद्रा: समन्तत: क्ष्मातलमाग्रसन्त: । समीरवेगोर्मिभिरुग्रनक्र- महाभयावर्तगभीरघोषा: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

tato vyadṛśyanta catuḥ samudrāḥ samantataḥ kṣmā-talam āgrasantaḥ samīra-vegormibhir ugra-nakra- mahā-bhayāvarta-gabhīra-ghoṣāḥ

Translation

Then the four great oceans appeared on every side, swallowing the earth’s surface with waves driven by the wind; within them were dreadful sea monsters, fearful whirlpools, and ominous, deep rumblings.

Synonyms

• tataḥ: then, thereafter
• tataḥ: Kāla/Anukrama (काल/अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) of sequence

• vyadṛśyanta: were seen/appeared
• vyadṛśyanta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Plural; with prefix vi-

• catuḥ-samudrāḥ: the four oceans
• catuḥ-samudrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catur + samudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; द्विगु-समासः (caturṇāṁ samudrāṇām samāhāra/gaṇa)

• samantataḥ: on all sides
• samantataḥ: Deśa (देश/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samantataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• kṣmā-talam: the surface of the earth
• kṣmā-talam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣmā + tala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (kṣmāyāḥ talam)

• āgrasantaḥ: seizing, swallowing up
• āgrasantaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-graś (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ), Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; qualifying samudrāḥ

• samīra-vega-ūrmibhiḥ: by waves driven by wind-speed
• samīra-vega-ūrmibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samīra + vega + ūrmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd), Plural; बहु-तत्पुरुष-श्रृङ्खला: (samīrasya vegaḥ; vegena yuktā ūrmiḥ)

• ugra-nakra-mahā-bhaya-āvarta-gabhīra-ghoṣāḥ: having deep roars and terrifying whirlpools with fierce crocodiles
• ugra-nakra-mahā-bhaya-āvarta-gabhīra-ghoṣāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ugra + nakra + mahā + bhaya + āvarta + gabhīra + ghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; बहुव्रीहिः—'yeṣāṁ ghoṣaḥ gabhīraḥ, āvartāḥ mahā-bhayāḥ, nakrā ugraḥ'—qualifying samudrāḥ

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pralaya (cosmic dissolution)?

This verse depicts dissolution as the oceans, driven by violent winds, rising on all sides to engulf the earth, with terrifying whirlpools and thunderous roaring.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing the oceans swallowing the earth?

He is narrating the Bhagavatam’s account of the world’s dissolution—showing how material nature is overwhelmed by time and the Lord’s cosmic arrangement, encouraging detachment and devotion.

Practical application of this pralaya teaching in modern life?

Remembering the world’s impermanence helps reduce anxiety and attachment, and strengthens focus on lasting spiritual practice—bhakti, hearing, and remembrance of the Lord.