Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4

Paramahaṁsa-Dharma: The Avadhūta-like Sannyāsī and Prahlāda’s Dialogue with the ‘Python’ Saint

Devanagari script

पश्येदात्मन्यदो विश्वं परे सदसतोऽव्यये । आत्मानं च परं ब्रह्म सर्वत्र सदसन्मये ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

paśyed ātmany ado viśvaṁ pare sad-asato ’vyaye ātmānaṁ ca paraṁ brahma sarvatra sad-asan-maye

Translation

The sannyāsī should strive to see this universe within the Self, and to see both being and nonbeing resting upon the imperishable Supreme. He should practice beholding the ātman and the Supreme Brahman as present everywhere, pervading all that is and is not.

Synonyms

• पश्येत्: should see
• पश्येत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातुः पश्—दर्शने

• आत्मनि: in the self
• आत्मनि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचनम्

• अदः: this/that (manifest)
• अदः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचनम्

• विश्वम्: the universe
• विश्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्

• परे: in the Supreme
• परे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचनम् (वेदान्त-प्रयोगे ‘in the Supreme’)

• सत्-असतः: of the real and the unreal
• सत्-असतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + असत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समासः (itaretara: ‘being and non-being’); नपुंसकलिङ्गः, षष्ठी (6th case/genitive), एकवचनम्

• अव्यये: in the imperishable (one)
• अव्यये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (‘imperishable’)

• आत्मानम्: the self
• आत्मानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्गः, द्वितीया (2nd case/accusative), एकवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचनम्

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम् (adverb of place)

• सत्-असत्-मये: in that which is made of real and unreal (i.e., the world-appearance)
• सत्-असत्-मये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + असत् (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषः (material/constitutive sense: ‘consisting of’); नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी (7th case/locative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Narada Muni
• Yudhishthira Maharaja

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about seeing the Supreme everywhere?

This verse teaches a God-centered vision: perceive the universe within the self, the self within the Supreme, and recognize the individual soul and Supreme Brahman present throughout all manifestations of matter and spirit.

Why did Narada Muni say this to Maharaja Yudhishthira in Canto 7?

Narada instructs Yudhishthira on dharma and spiritual culture for civilized life, emphasizing inner realization—seeing the Supreme as the imperishable foundation of both the manifest and unmanifest—so one lives responsibly and devotionally.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice viewing people and situations through a spiritual lens: remember the soul within, respect all beings, reduce ego-centered reactions, and cultivate steady remembrance of the Supreme in daily work, relationships, and service.