Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 10

Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect

Devanagari script

उपर्यध: समन्ताच्च शिखाभिर्वह्निसूर्ययो: । दह्यमानं विभात्यण्डं दग्धगोमयपिण्डवत् ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

upary adhaḥ samantāc ca śikhābhir vahni-sūryayoḥ dahyamānaṁ vibhāty aṇḍaṁ dagdha-gomaya-piṇḍa-vat

Translation

Brûlée de toutes parts—d’en haut par le soleil flamboyant et d’en bas par le feu du Seigneur Saṅkarṣaṇa—la sphère de l’univers resplendira telle une boule de bouse de vache en combustion.

Synonyms

• उपरि: above
• उपरि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (adverb of place): 'above'

• अधः: below
• अधः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (adverb of place): 'below'

• समन्तात्: on all sides
• समन्तात्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सर्वतः (ablatival adverb): 'from all sides/around'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• शिखाभिः: with flames
• शिखाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• वह्नि-सूर्ययोः: of fire and the sun
• वह्नि-सूर्ययोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः: 'वह्निश्च सूर्यश्च' → 'of fire and the sun'

• दह्यमानम्: being burned
• दह्यमानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √दह् (धातु) + यमान (कृदन्त; शानच्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; वर्तमानकृदन्त (present passive participle): 'being burnt'

• विभाति: shines; appears
• विभाति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भा (धातु) + वि
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अण्डम्: the cosmic egg (universe)
• अण्डम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; अत्र कर्मरूपेण (object of 'vibhāti' as 'appears as')

• दग्ध-गोमय-पिण्ड-वत्: like a burnt lump of cow-dung
• दग्ध-गोमय-पिण्ड-वत्: Upamana (उपमान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दग्ध (कृदन्त; √दह्) + गोमय (प्रातिपदिक) + पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; 'वत्' तद्धितान्त (possessing/like); समासः तत्पुरुषः: 'दग्धः गोमयपिण्डः' + वत् = 'like a burnt cow-dung lump'

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about pralaya (universal devastation) in Canto 12?

In 12.4.10, Śukadeva describes the universe being engulfed on all sides by blazing flames, making the cosmic egg appear like a burning lump—illustrating the total, inescapable nature of devastation.

Why is the universe compared to a burning lump of cow-dung in Bhagavatam 12.4.10?

The comparison emphasizes how the entire brahmāṇḍa can glow while being consumed—vividly portraying the fragility of material creation during pralaya.

What is the practical lesson of Bhagavatam 12.4.10 for modern life?

Since even the universe is temporary and perishable, one should cultivate detachment and take shelter of bhakti—remembering the eternal Lord rather than clinging to fleeting material security.