Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 36
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
नैतन्मनो विशति वागुत चक्षुरात्मा प्राणेन्द्रियाणि च यथानलमर्चिष: स्वा: । शब्दोऽपि बोधकनिषेधतयात्ममूल- मर्थोक्तमाह यदृते न निषेधसिद्धि: ॥ ३६ ॥
naitan mano viśati vāg uta cakṣur ātmā prāṇendriyāṇi ca yathānalam arciṣaḥ svāḥ śabdo ’pi bodhaka-niṣedhatayātma-mūlam arthoktam āha yad-ṛte na niṣedha-siddhiḥ
Ni le mental, ni la parole, ni la vue, ni l’intelligence, ni le prāṇa ni les sens ne peuvent pénétrer cette Vérité suprême, pas plus que des étincelles ne sauraient affecter le feu originel dont elles proviennent. Même le langage d’autorité des Veda ne peut la décrire parfaitement, car les Veda eux-mêmes nient que la Vérité puisse être exprimée par des mots. Pourtant, par allusion indirecte, le son védique sert de preuve de cette Vérité ; sans Elle, les prescriptions et interdictions védiques n’auraient aucun but ultime.
The small sparks generated by a blazing fire have no power to illuminate the original fire, nor can they burn it. The quantity of heat and light in the original fire is always superior to the quantity found in the insignificant sparks. Similarly, the minute living entity is generated from the internal potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as stated in Vedānta-sūtra ( janmādy asya yataḥ ) and Bhagavad-gītā ( ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ, mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ ). The minute living entities, being aṁśaḥ, or sparks of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can never equal the Supreme Godhead in the quantity of their potency. The quantity of knowledge and bliss in the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always superior. Therefore, when a foolish conditioned soul tries to illuminate the subject matter of the highest truth with his tiny brain, he merely illuminates his own foolishness. The Personality of Godhead has personally spoken Bhagavad-gītā, which is the blazing fire of perfect knowledge that burns to ashes the insignificant speculations and theories of so-called philosophers and scientists regarding the ultimate truth.
FAQs
This verse states that the mind, speech, eyes, senses, and even prāṇa cannot reach the Supreme Reality, and that language can only point to it indirectly—often through negation—because the Self is the root reference behind all meaning.
Yadu questioned the Avadhūta about the source of his wisdom and detachment; Dattātreya explains the transcendental nature of the Self, showing why true realization is beyond sensory and mental grasp and thus the basis of renunciation.
Use this teaching to loosen identity with constant mental chatter and sensory stimulation: practice steady remembrance, meditation, and discernment (viveka), recognizing that lasting fulfillment lies deeper than what the senses and words can capture.