Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 11
Parīkṣit’s Comprehensive Inquiries and the Bhāgavata as Śabda-avatāra
पुरुषावयवैर्लोका: सपाला: पूर्वकल्पिता: । लोकैरमुष्यावयवा: सपालैरिति शुश्रुम ॥ ११ ॥
puruṣāvayavair lokāḥ sapālāḥ pūrva-kalpitāḥ lokair amuṣyāvayavāḥ sa-pālair iti śuśruma
हे विद्वान ब्राह्मण! पूर्वी सांगितले आहे की सर्व लोक आपापल्या पालकांसह विराट्-पुरुषाच्या विशाल देहाच्या विविध अवयवांत स्थित आहेत. मीही ऐकले आहे की लोकसमूह त्या देहातच मानले जातात; पण त्यांची खरी स्थिती काय? कृपया स्पष्ट करा।
FAQs
This verse states that the planetary systems along with their presiding rulers are envisioned as limbs of the Virāṭ-Puruṣa, and that one can also understand His limbs by studying those worlds and their rulers.
In the context of teaching Parīkṣit Mahārāja meditation on the Lord’s universal form, Śukadeva explains a devotional cosmology where creation is seen as integrated within the Lord’s body, helping the mind fix on Him.
It cultivates reverence and responsibility: one learns to see all realms of life as connected to the Divine, reducing exploitation and increasing mindful, devotional living.