Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21

Sāṅkhya of Creation and Annihilation

Sarga–Nirodha-viveka

Devanagari script

विराण्मयासाद्यमानो लोककल्पविकल्पकः । पञ्चत्वाय विशेषाय कल्पते भुवनैः सह ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

virāṇ mayāsādyamāno loka-kalpa-vikalpakaḥ pañcatvāya viśeṣāya kalpate bhuvanaiḥ saha

Translation

I am the foundation of the universal form (virāṭ-rūpa), which displays endless variety through the repeated creation, maintenance, and dissolution of the planetary systems. By arranging the coordinated union of the five elements, it manifests the diverse forms of created existence along with all worlds.

Synonyms

• virāṭ: Virāṭ (the cosmic being)
• virāṭ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: virāj (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Kartr̥-karaṇa (कर्ता-करण/agent-instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष सर्वनाम (1st person pronoun), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• āsādyamānaḥ: being reached/attained
• āsādyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-sad (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present passive participle/शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (being approached/attained)

• loka-kalpa-vikalpakaḥ: one who arranges the world’s formation and differentiation
• loka-kalpa-vikalpakaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: loka + kalpa + vikalpaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; लोकस्य कल्प-विकल्पं करोति इति

• pañcatvāya: for becoming fivefold (into five elements)
• pañcatvāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañcatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; प्रयोजन (purpose)

• viśeṣāya: for differentiation/specificity
• viśeṣāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; प्रयोजन

• kalpate: becomes/is fit/comes to be
• kalpate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kḷp (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• bhuvanaiḥ: with the worlds
• bhuvanaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhuvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahārtha (सहार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सह-अव्यय (indeclinable: with)

Purport

According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, the word mayā refers to the Lord in His form as eternal time.

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava

FAQs

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

This verse states that when dissolution arrives, the manifested worlds cease their cycles of arrangement and become fit to merge into the five gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), entering a distinct stage of dissolution.

Why does Krishna describe cosmic dissolution to Uddhava in Canto 11?

Krishna instructs Uddhava in tattva-jñāna (truth about reality) to cultivate detachment from temporary cosmic structures and to anchor devotion in the eternal Supreme, beyond creation and dissolution.

How can this teaching on dissolution be applied in modern life?

It encourages remembering impermanence: worldly arrangements change and end, so one should prioritize steady spiritual practice—bhakti, humility, and inner clarity—over anxiety about shifting external circumstances.