Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 20

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

पदार्थेषु यथा द्रव्यं सन्मात्रं रूपनामसु । बीजादिपञ्चतान्तासु ह्यवस्थासु युतायुतम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

padārtheṣu yathā dravyaṁ san-mātraṁ rūpa-nāmasu bījādi-pañcatāntāsu hy avasthāsu yutāyutam

Translation

De même qu’un objet matériel peut prendre diverses formes et divers noms, tandis que son ingrédient essentiel demeure la base de son existence, ainsi, dans le corps créé — de la conception (la semence) jusqu’à la mort — la Vérité Absolue Suprême est toujours présente, à la fois conjointe et distincte.

Synonyms

• padārtheṣu: in objects/meanings (entities)
• padārtheṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (पदानाम् अर्थेषु / पदार्थेषु)

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमानवाचक (comparative particle: 'as/just as')

• dravyam: substance
• dravyam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपमेय/दृष्टान्त-शब्द (here as subject of implied 'asti')

• sat-mātram: mere existence
• sat-mātram: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक) + mātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सत्-मात्र = 'mere being/existence alone')

• rūpa-nāmasu: in forms and names
• rūpa-nāmasu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (रूपे च नामनि च)

• bīja-ādi-pañcatā-antāsu: in the states beginning with seed etc. and ending in fivefold manifestation
• bīja-ādi-pañcatā-antāsu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Qualifier in locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bīja (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + pañcatā (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: 'bīja-ādi' (beginning with seed etc.) + 'pañcatā-anta' (ending in fivefold state); विशेषण (qualifying avasthāsu)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/हेतु-सूचक (indeed/for)

• avasthāsu: in states/conditions
• avasthāsu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avasthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

• yuta-ayutam: both conjoined and disjoined
• yuta-ayutam: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yuta (प्रातिपदिक; √yuj + kta) + ayuta (प्रातिपदिक; a- + yuta)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (युतं च अयुतं च) अर्थतः 'both connected and unconnected' (paradoxical)

Purport

Moist clay can be molded into various shapes and named “waterpot,” “flowerpot” or “storage pot.” Despite the various names and forms, the essential ingredient, earth, is constantly present. Similarly, the Supreme Lord is present throughout a material body’s stages of bodily existence. The Lord is identical with material nature, being its ultimate generating source. At the same time, the unique Supreme Being exists separately, aloof in His own abode.

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about name and form (nāma-rūpa)?

This verse explains that names and forms are designations, while the true reality is the underlying substance—pure existence—present within all perceived objects.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī say this to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva is teaching Parīkṣit the Bhagavatam’s essence: to see the eternal Reality behind changing material states, strengthening detachment and devotion as Parīkṣit prepares for death.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

See changing situations, labels, and identities as temporary “names and forms,” and anchor your mind in the enduring spiritual reality—supporting steadiness, humility, and devotion.