Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 28
The First Step in God Realization: The Glory of Hearing and the Virāṭ-Rūpa Meditation
उर:स्थलं ज्योतिरनीकमस्य ग्रीवा महर्वदनं वै जनोऽस्य । तपो वराटीं विदुरादिपुंस: सत्यं तु शीर्षाणि सहस्रशीर्ष्ण: ॥ २८ ॥
uraḥ-sthalaṁ jyotir-anīkam asya grīvā mahar vadanaṁ vai jano ’sya tapo varāṭīṁ vidur ādi-puṁsaḥ satyaṁ tu śīrṣāṇi sahasra-śīrṣṇaḥ
ବିରାଟ୍-ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ଉରସ୍ଥଳ ହେଉଛି ଜ୍ୟୋତିର୍ମୟ ଗ୍ରହମଣ୍ଡଳ; ତାଙ୍କ ଗ୍ରୀବା ମହର୍ଲୋକ, ମୁଖ ଜନୋଲୋକ, ଏବଂ ଲଲାଟ ତପୋଲୋକ। ସହସ୍ରଶିର ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଶିର ହେଉଛି ସତ୍ୟଲୋକ।
The effulgent luminary planets like the sun and the moon are situated almost in the midplace of the universe, and as such they are to be known as the chest of the original gigantic form of the Lord. And above the luminary planets, called also the heavenly places of the universal directorate demigods, are the Mahar, Janas and Tapas planetary systems, and, above all, the Satyaloka planetary system, where the chief directors of the modes of material nature reside, namely Viṣṇu, Brahmā and Śiva. This Viṣṇu is known as the Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and He acts as the Supersoul in every living being. There are innumerable universes floating on the Causal Ocean, and in each of them the representation of the virāṭ form of the Lord is there along with innumerable suns, moons, heavenly demigods, Brahmās, Viṣṇus and Śivas, all of them situated in one part of the inconceivable potency of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (10.42) .
FAQs
This verse maps Maharloka, Janaloka, Tapoloka, and Satyaloka onto the Universal Form—neck, mouth, forehead, and head—teaching a contemplative way to see all cosmic realms as resting within the Supreme.
He gives Parikshit a structured meditation for God realization: by contemplating the cosmos as the Lord’s form, the mind becomes steady and devotional, leading toward remembrance of the Supreme at life’s end.
Use it as guided contemplation: see the universe as sacred and connected to the Divine, reducing anxiety and ego, and supporting daily bhakti through reverence, prayer, and focused remembrance.