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Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 37

Sāṅkhya Enumeration of Tattvas, Distinction of Puruṣa–Prakṛti, and the Mechanics of Birth and Death

श्रीभगवानुवाच मन: कर्ममयं नृणामिन्द्रियै: पञ्चभिर्युतम् । लोकाल्ल‍ोकं प्रयात्यन्य आत्मा तदनुवर्तते ॥ ३७ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca manaḥ karma-mayaṁ ṇṝṇām indriyaiḥ pañcabhir yutam lokāl lokaṁ prayāty anya ātmā tad anuvartate

ശ്രീഭഗവാൻ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു—മനുഷ്യരുടെ മനസ് കർമ്മഫലങ്ങളാൽ രൂപപ്പെട്ടതാണ്; അത് അഞ്ചു ഇന്ദ്രിയങ്ങളോടുകൂടി നിലകൊള്ളുന്നു. അത് ഒരു ദേഹം/ലോകം മുതൽ മറ്റൊന്നിലേക്കു സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നു; ആത്മാവ് വ്യത്യസ്തമായിട്ടും അതിനെ അനുഗമിക്കുന്നു.

śrī-bhagavānthe Blessed Lord
śrī-bhagavān:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootbhagavat (प्रातिपदिक) + śrī (उपपद/विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय-समासः
uvācasaid
uvāca:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootvac (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada
manaḥthe mind
manaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootmanas (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
karma-mayammade of karma; action-formed
karma-mayam:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootkarman (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः ‘made of/consisting of action’
nṛṇāmof men
nṛṇām:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootnṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Genitive (षष्ठी/6), Plural (बहुवचन)
indriyaiḥwith the senses
indriyaiḥ:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootindriya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural
pañcabhiḥby five
pañcabhiḥ:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootpañcan (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
FormInstrumental (तृतीया/3), Plural; numeral adjective qualifying indriyaiḥ
yutamjoined; endowed
yutam:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootyuta (कृदन्त; √yuj धातु)
FormNeuter, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; past passive participle (क्त) ‘joined/endowed’ agreeing with manaḥ
lokātfrom a world
lokāt:
Apādāna (अपादान)
TypeNoun
Rootloka (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular
lokamto a world
lokam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootloka (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular
prayātigoes; travels
prayāti:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootpra-√yā (धातु)
FormPresent (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada
anyaḥanother; different
anyaḥ:
Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootanya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; qualifying ātmā
ātmāthe self
ātmā:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootātman (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular
tatthat (mind)
tat:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Roottad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular; object of anuvartate
anuvartatefollows
anuvartate:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootanu-√vṛt (धातु)
FormPresent (लट्), 3rd person, Singular; ātmanepada

FAQs

This verse says the mind, shaped by karma and linked to the five senses, moves from one realm to another, and the soul follows it—indicating that mental impressions and desires propel transmigration.

Krishna is instructing Uddhava on the mechanics of bondage and liberation—showing that karmic conditioning operates through the mind and senses, so one must purify and steady the mind to become free.

Guard sense-input and consciously cultivate sattvic habits (japa, hearing śāstra, devotion, selfless service), because repeated thoughts and desires become impressions that shape future choices—and ultimately one’s destination.