Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 40
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच किं वर्णये तव विभो यदुदीरितोऽसु: संस्पन्दते तमनु वाङ्मनइन्द्रियाणि । स्पन्दन्ति वै तनुभृतामजशर्वयोश्च स्वस्याप्यथापि भजतामसि भावबन्धु: ॥ ४० ॥
śrī-mārkaṇḍeya uvāca kiṁ varṇaye tava vibho yad-udīrito ’suḥ saṁspandate tam anu vāṅ-mana-indriyāṇi spandanti vai tanu-bhṛtām aja-śarvayoś ca svasyāpy athāpi bhajatām asi bhāva-bandhuḥ
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya dit : Ô Seigneur tout-puissant, comment pourrais-je Te décrire ? Tu éveilles le prāṇa, et, à sa suite, la parole, le mental et les sens se mettent en mouvement. Cela est vrai pour les âmes conditionnées et même pour Brahmā et Śiva ; à plus forte raison pour moi. Pourtant, Tu deviens l’ami intime de ceux qui Te vénèrent.
FAQs
This verse says that when the Lord impels prāṇa, then speech, mind, and the senses begin to operate; their activity follows the movement of life-air, which ultimately depends on Him.
He highlights that even the greatest cosmic controllers—Brahmā and Śiva—act only because the Lord empowers the life-force and motion within embodied existence, underscoring Bhagavān’s supreme position.
Cultivate sincere devotion—prayer, mantra, and remembrance—knowing that the Supreme, though independent, responds intimately to heartfelt worship and becomes the inner support of the devotee’s life.