Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 12
The Glories of Lord Ananta (Śeṣa/Saṅkarṣaṇa) and the Cosmic Foundation Beneath Pātāla
मूर्धन्यर्पितमणुवत्सहस्रमूर्ध्नो भूगोलं सगिरिसरित्समुद्रसत्त्वम् । आनन्त्यादनिमितविक्रमस्य भूम्न: को वीर्याण्यधिगणयेत्सहस्रजिह्व: ॥ १२ ॥
mūrdhany arpitam aṇuvat sahasra-mūrdhno bhū-golaṁ sagiri-sarit-samudra-sattvam ānantyād animita-vikramasya bhūmnaḥ ko vīryāṇy adhi gaṇayet sahasra-jihvaḥ
Because the Lord is unlimited, no one can measure His power. This whole universe—filled with mountains, rivers, oceans, trees, and living beings—rests like an atom upon one of His thousands of hoods. Who, even with a thousand tongues, could ever recount His glories?
FAQs
This verse says the entire earth—with mountains, rivers, oceans, and all beings—rests on Ananta’s head as lightly as an atom, highlighting His divine support of the cosmos.
Because the Lord’s greatness and prowess are unlimited; even vast speech capacity cannot fully enumerate His vīrya (divine powers and heroic glories).
Cultivate humility and devotion: recognize the limits of one’s own power and knowledge, and regularly engage in sincere glorification (kīrtana) of the Lord rather than pride in achievement.