Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 37

Varṣa-devatā Worship in Jambūdvīpa: Hayagrīva/Hayaśīrṣa, Nṛsiṁha, Kāmadeva (Pradyumna), Matsya, Kūrma, and Varāha

Devanagari script

द्रव्यक्रियाहेत्वयनेशकर्तृभि- र्मायागुणैर्वस्तुनिरीक्षितात्मने । अन्वीक्षयाङ्गातिशयात्मबुद्धिभि- र्निरस्तमायाकृतये नमो नम: ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

dravya-kriyā-hetv-ayaneśa-kartṛbhir māyā-guṇair vastu-nirīkṣitātmane anvīkṣayāṅgātiśayātma-buddhibhir nirasta-māyākṛtaye namo namaḥ

Translation

Les objets de jouissance matérielle—son, forme, saveur, toucher et odeur—les activités des sens, leurs régents (les devas), le corps, le temps éternel et l’ego, sont tous des créations des guṇas de Ton énergie māyā. Ceux dont l’intelligence est fixée par la pratique parfaite du yoga mystique voient, par une investigation subtile, que tout cela procède de Ta puissance externe; et ils contemplent aussi Ta forme transcendante comme Paramātmā en arrière-plan de toute chose. C’est pourquoi je T’offre, encore et encore, mes respectueuses prosternations, à Toi qui dissipes les œuvres de la māyā.

Synonyms

• dravya-kriyā-hetu-ayana-īśa-kartṛbhiḥ: by (the factors) substance, action, cause, abode, lordship, agency
• dravya-kriyā-hetu-ayana-īśa-kartṛbhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya + kriyā + hetu + ayana + īśa + kartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—समाहार/द्वन्द्व-प्रायः: 'by (those) being substance, action, cause, abode/path, lord, and agent' (enumerative)

• māyā-guṇaiḥ: by māyā’s qualities
• māyā-guṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māyā + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: 'by the guṇas of māyā'

• vastu-nirīkṣita-ātmane: to him whose Self is realized as the real entity
• vastu-nirīkṣita-ātmane: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastu + nirīkṣita (√īkṣ, क्त-कृदन्त with nir-) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: 'to him whose Self is seen/realized as Reality'

• anvīkṣayā: by inquiry/analysis
• anvīkṣayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anvīkṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• aṅga-atiśaya-ātma-buddhibhiḥ: by intellects of limb, excellence, and self-notion
• aṅga-atiśaya-ātma-buddhibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga + atiśaya + ātman + buddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: 'by intellects (buddhis) that are limbs, excellences, and self(-notions)' (enumerative determinative)

• nirasta-māyā-kṛtaye: to the dispeller of māyā / to whom māyā is negated
• nirasta-māyā-kṛtaye: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirasta (√as, क्त-कृदन्त with nir-) + māyā + kṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: 'to the one whose māyā-creation is dispelled / to him who has dispelled māyā' (contextual)

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Prayojana (सम्बोधन/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग)
• Form: Avyaya; salutation

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambodhana/Prayojana (सम्बोधन/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग)
• Form: Avyaya; repeated salutation (पुनरुक्ति)

Purport

The objects of material enjoyment, the sensory activities, attachment to sensual pleasure, the body, false egotism and so on are produced by the Lord’s external energy, māyā. The background of all these activities is the living being, and the director of the living beings is the Supersoul. The living being is not the all in all. He is directed by the Supersoul. In Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) Kṛṣṇa confirms this:

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about transcending māyā?

This verse teaches that māyā’s coverings are removed by deep spiritual inquiry (anvīkṣā) and by awakened intelligence fixed on the Supreme Self, leading one to perceive the Lord within all things.

Why is the Lord described as the controller of dravya, kriyā, hetu, and time?

Because the Supreme Lord remains the ultimate overseer behind material ingredients, actions, causes, time’s flow, the senses, and all agents—yet He is distinct from māyā and can be realized as the indwelling Self.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life?

Practice sincere self-inquiry and scriptural reflection, and cultivate God-centered intelligence—seeing the Lord’s presence within people and circumstances—so that anxiety born of material identification gradually weakens.