Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 36
Nārada’s Questions and Brahmā’s Reply: Vāsudeva as the Source; Sarga–Visarga; Virāṭ-rūpa Mapping
यस्येहावयवैर्लोकान् कल्पयन्ति मनीषिण: । कट्यादिभिरध: सप्त सप्तोर्ध्वं जघनादिभि: ॥ ३६ ॥
yasyehāvayavair lokān kalpayanti manīṣiṇaḥ kaṭya-ādibhir adhaḥ sapta saptordhvaṁ jaghanādibhiḥ
Les grands sages conçoivent que tous les systèmes planétaires de l’univers sont des manifestations des divers membres du Corps universel (virāṭ) du Seigneur : sept mondes en bas à partir de la taille, et sept mondes en haut à partir des hanches et au-delà.
The word kalpayanti, or “imagine,” is significant. The virāṭ universal form of the Absolute is an imagination of the speculative philosophers who are unable to adjust to the eternal two-handed form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Although the universal form, as imagined by the great philosophers, is one of the features of the Lord, it is more or less imaginary. It is said that the seven upper planetary systems are situated above the waist of the universal form, whereas the lower planetary systems are situated below His waist. The idea impressed herein is that the Supreme Lord is conscious of every part of His body, and nowhere in the creation is there anything beyond His control.
FAQs
This verse explains that sages conceive the fourteen planetary systems as situated within the universal form (virāṭ-rūpa) of the Supreme Person—seven below and seven above—mapped to His limbs for meditation and understanding.
He teaches Parīkṣit Mahārāja a contemplative framework (virāṭ conception) to understand the Lord’s all-pervading supremacy and the ordered structure of creation while keeping devotion centered on the Supreme Person.
It helps a devotee see the world as sacred and dependent on the Lord, encouraging humility, gratitude, and God-centered living rather than seeing the cosmos as separate from divine governance.