Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 32

Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions

Catuḥ-śloki

Devanagari script

यावानहं यथाभावो यद्रूपगुणकर्मक: । तथैव तत्त्वविज्ञानमस्तु ते मदनुग्रहात् ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

yāvān ahaṁ yathā-bhāvo yad-rūpa-guṇa-karmakaḥ tathaiva tattva-vijñānam astu te mad-anugrahāt

Translation

ମୁଁ ଯେପରି—ମୋର ନିତ୍ୟ ସ୍ୱରୂପ, ଦିବ୍ୟ ସତ୍ତା, ରୂପ, ଗୁଣ ଓ ଲୀଳା—ସେହିପରି ତତ୍ତ୍ୱଜ୍ଞାନ ମୋର ନିର୍ହେତୁକ କୃପାରୁ ତୁମ ହୃଦୟରେ ଜାଗ୍ରତ ହେଉ।

Synonyms

• yāvān: as great as / to the extent
• yāvān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yāvat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masc), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg); pramāṇa-viśeṣaṇa (quantitative adjective)

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (pronoun), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg)

• yathā-bhāvaḥ: my manner of being / as I am
• yathā-bhāvaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yathā (अव्यय) + bhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masc), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg); avyayībhāva-samāsa (adverbial compound)

• yat: which / whatever
• yat: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (relative pronoun), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg), Puṁliṅga; sambandha (correlative with yāvān)

• rūpa-guṇa-karmakaḥ: having form, qualities, and activities
• rūpa-guṇa-karmakaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + karmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masc), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg); tatpuruṣa (determinative): rūpa-guṇa-karma-viśiṣṭaḥ

• tathā: thus / in that way
• tathā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (adverb)

• eva: indeed / just
• eva: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; niścaya/avadhāraṇa-particle (emphatic)

• tattva-vijñānam: knowledge of reality / true knowledge
• tattva-vijñānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (प्रातिपदिक) + vijñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṁsaka (neut), Prathamā (Nom, 1st), Ekavacana (sg); tatpuruṣa: tattvasya vijñānam

• astu: may it be / let it be
• astu: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (imperative/benedictive sense), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd), Ekavacana (sg); āśīr-liṅgārtha (may it be)

• te: to you
• te: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (pronoun), Caturthī (Dat, 4th), Ekavacana (sg)

• mat-anugrahāt: from my grace / by my favor
• mat-anugrahāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + anugraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (masc), Pañcamī (Abl, 5th), Ekavacana (sg); tatpuruṣa: mama anugrahaḥ; hetu/ nimitta-ablative

Purport

The secret of success in understanding the intricacies of knowledge of the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, is the causeless mercy of the Lord. Even in the material world, the father of many sons discloses the secret of his position to the pet sons. The father discloses the confidence unto the son whom he thinks worthy. An important man in the social order can be known by his mercy only. Similarly, one must be very dear to the Lord in order to know the Lord. The Lord is unlimited; no one can know Him completely, but one’s advancement in the transcendental loving service of the Lord can make one eligible to know the Lord. Here we can see that the Lord is sufficiently pleased with Brahmājī, and therefore He offers His causeless mercy to him so that Brahmājī may have the factual realization of the Lord by His mercy only.

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Śrī Bhagavān

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about knowing God’s real form, qualities, and activities?

This verse states that true, accurate realization of the Lord—His nature, form, qualities, and activities—comes by His mercy, and it is to be known “exactly as He is.”

Why did the Lord say this to Brahmā in Canto 2 Chapter 9?

Brahmā seeks clarity about creation and the Supreme Truth; the Lord assures him that authentic tattva-vijñāna (realized truth) about the Lord Himself will arise by divine grace, enabling Brahmā to carry out creation with proper understanding.

Practical application: how can I seek tattva-vijñāna (realized knowledge) today?

Approach spiritual study with devotion and humility, focusing on the Lord’s form, qualities, and pastimes, and pray for divine guidance—because this verse emphasizes mercy as the key to genuine realization.