Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13

The Glories of Lord Ananta (Śeṣa/Saṅkarṣaṇa) and the Cosmic Foundation Beneath Pātāla

Devanagari script

एवम्प्रभावो भगवाननन्तो दुरन्तवीर्योरुगुणानुभाव: । मूले रसाया: स्थित आत्मतन्त्रो यो लीलया क्ष्मां स्थितये बिभर्ति ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

evam-prabhāvo bhagavān ananto duranta-vīryoru-guṇānubhāvaḥ mūle rasāyāḥ sthita ātma-tantro yo līlayā kṣmāṁ sthitaye bibharti

Translation

Such is the majesty of Bhagavān Anantadeva: His vast and glorious qualities have no end, and His prowess is beyond measure. Though fully self-sufficient, He is the support of all. Dwelling beneath the lower planetary realms, He effortlessly sustains the entire universe as His divine lila.

Synonyms

• evam-prabhāvaḥ: of such potency
• evam-prabhāvaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: evam (अव्यय) + prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyayībhāva: 'having such power/whose power is thus'; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; epithet of bhagavān

• bhagavān: the Lord
• bhagavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• anantaḥ: Ananta (Śeṣa)
• anantaḥ: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ananta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; proper name/epithet

• duranta-vīrya-uru-guṇa-anubhāvaḥ: whose irresistible power and vast qualities have great effect
• duranta-vīrya-uru-guṇa-anubhāvaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duranta (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + uru (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + anubhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Bahuvrīhi: 'one whose prowess is irresistible and whose qualities are vast (and whose influence is such)'; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; epithet of bhagavān/ananta

• mūle: at the base
• mūle: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• rasāyāḥ: of Rasā (nether region)
• rasāyāḥ: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rasā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• sthitaḥ: situated
• sthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (state of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त-कृदन्त); Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with yaḥ (bhagavān)

• ātma-tantraḥ: self-governed, independent
• ātma-tantraḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक) + tantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय-भाव: 'self-dependent'); Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; relative pronoun referring to bhagavān/ananta

• līlayā: by playfully, as a sport
• līlayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: līlā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• kṣmām: the earth
• kṣmām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣmā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sthitaye: for stability/maintenance
• sthitaye: Sampradāna/Prayojana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthiti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; purpose

• bibharti: supports, bears
• bibharti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhṛ (भृ धातु)
• Form: Present indicative (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān Ananta (Śeṣa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Ananta Shesha supporting the earth?

This verse says Lord Ananta, situated at the base of Rasātala and fully independent, effortlessly supports the earth for her stability as a divine pastime.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Ananta as ‘ātma-tantra’ (independent)?

To emphasize that Ananta’s cosmic function is not forced by karma or necessity—He acts by His own will, revealing the Lord’s supreme autonomy.

How can a devotee apply this teaching in modern life?

By remembering that the universe is sustained by the Lord’s power, one can cultivate trust, humility, and steady devotion even amid instability.