Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 61

Citraketu’s Detachment, Nārada’s Mantra, and the Darśana of Anantadeva

Devanagari script

एवं विपर्ययं बुद्ध्वा नृणां विज्ञाभिमानिनाम् । आत्मनश्च गतिं सूक्ष्मां स्थानत्रयविलक्षणाम् ॥ ६१ ॥ द‍ृष्टश्रुताभिर्मात्राभिर्निर्मुक्त: स्वेन तेजसा । ज्ञानविज्ञानसन्तृप्तो मद्भ‍क्त: पुरुषो भवेत् ॥ ६२ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ viparyayaṁ buddhvā nṛṇāṁ vijñābhimāninām ātmanaś ca gatiṁ sūkṣmāṁ sthāna-traya-vilakṣaṇām

Translation

Compreende que as ações dos que se orgulham da experiência material só produzem frutos contrários ao que imaginam na vigília, no sonho e no sono profundo. Compreende também que a alma espiritual é sutil e está acima desses três estados; pela força do discernimento, abandona o desejo de resultados nesta vida e na próxima e, saciado de conhecimento e realização, torna-te Meu devoto.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• विपर्ययम्: error; inversion; misconception
• विपर्ययम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपर्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• बुद्ध्वा: having understood
• बुद्ध्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), परस्मैपदी; ‘having known/understood’

• नृणाम्: of men
• नृणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive/6th), बहुवचन (plural)

• विज्ञाभिमानिनाम्: of those who are proud of their learning
• विज्ञाभिमानिनाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of नृणाम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विज्ञ + अभिमानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative): ‘विज्ञे अभिमानः यस्य/येषाम्’ = those who are proud of (being) learned

• आत्मनः: of the self
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गतिम्: course; destination; state
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सूक्ष्माम्: subtle
• सूक्ष्माम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of गतिम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

• स्थानत्रयविलक्षणाम्: distinct from the three states
• स्थानत्रयविलक्षणाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of गतिम्
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थान + त्रय + विलक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास: ‘स्थानत्रयात् विलक्षणा’ (distinct from the three states/abodes)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about intellectual pride and misconception (viparyaya)?

This verse warns that people proud of their knowledge can live in a reversed understanding of reality; true wisdom begins by recognizing that inversion and turning toward the soul’s transcendental course.

What is meant by the soul being distinct from the ‘three states’ (sthāna-traya)?

The verse points to the ātman’s subtle, transcendental destination as different from material conditions and transformations—indicating the soul is not confined to bodily or worldly states.

Practical application: how can I overcome ‘viparyaya’ in modern life?

Cultivate humility, examine assumptions about identity and success, and align daily choices with spiritual goals—especially through hearing and practicing bhakti that reveals the soul’s real nature.