Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 17

Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control

Devanagari script

ऐरावतं गजेन्द्राणां यादसां वरुणं प्रभुम् । तपतां द्युमतां सूर्यं मनुष्याणां च भूपतिम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

airāvataṁ gajendrāṇāṁ yādasāṁ varuṇaṁ prabhum tapatāṁ dyumatāṁ sūryaṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ ca bhū-patim

Translation

Among the lordly elephants I am Airāvata, and among aquatic beings I am Varuṇa, the master of the seas. Among all that gives heat and light I am the sun, and among human beings I am the king.

Synonyms

• ऐरावतम्: Airāvata
• ऐरावतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐरावत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Acc. m. sg.)

• गजेन्द्राणाम्: of the lordly elephants
• गजेन्द्राणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गज-इन्द्र (गज प्रातिपदिक + इन्द्र प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-प्रातिपदिक ‘गजानाम् इन्द्राः’; षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• यादसाम्: of aquatic beings
• यादसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यादस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (यादस्), षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• वरुणम्: Varuṇa
• वरुणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Acc. m. sg.)

• प्रभुम्: the lord
• प्रभुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Acc. m. sg.); वरुणस्य विशेषणम्

• तपताम्: of ascetics
• तपताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √तप् (तपँ) + शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle) ‘tapas-performing’; षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• द्युमताम्: of the radiant (luminaries)
• द्युमताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्युमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसक-प्रयोगे सम्भवः; अत्र पुल्लिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.) ‘of the radiant ones’

• सूर्यम्: the Sun
• सूर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Acc. m. sg.)

• मनुष्याणाम्: of humans
• मनुष्याणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• भू-पतिम्: king; lord of the earth
• भू-पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू (प्रातिपदिक) + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘भूमेः पति:’; पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Acc. m. sg.)

Purport

It is significant to know that Lord Kṛṣṇa is represented within this universe by the lord or supreme in all categories. No one can be as aristocratic and perfect as Śrī Kṛṣṇa, nor can anyone estimate the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa is without doubt the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Characters & Entities

• Airāvata
• Varuṇa
• Sūrya

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s vibhutis (divine opulences)?

This verse lists the Lord’s vibhutis by identifying Him as the foremost among categories—Airāvata among elephants, Varuṇa among aquatic rulers, the Sun among luminous heat-givers, and the king among humans—teaching devotees to recognize God’s supremacy everywhere.

Why does Krishna describe Himself as the king among human beings in Bhagavatam 11.16?

In this chapter Krishna explains His manifestations as the “best of” each class; righteous kingship represents earthly governance aligned with dharma, making it a fitting symbol of divine lordship among humans.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice seeing the Supreme behind excellence and order—respect rightful authority and dharmic leadership, honor the Sun and nature as sacred, and cultivate remembrance of Krishna by recognizing His presence in the world’s highest qualities.