Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 14
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
अधिदैवमथाध्यात्ममधिभूतमिति प्रभु: । अथैकं पौरुषं वीर्यं त्रिधाभिद्यत तच्छृणु ॥ १४ ॥
adhidaivam athādhyātmam adhibhūtam iti prabhuḥ athaikaṁ pauruṣaṁ vīryaṁ tridhābhidyata tac chṛṇu
अधिदैवम् अथाध्यात्मम् अधिभूतम् इति प्रभुः। एकं पौरुषं वीर्यं त्रिधा भिनत्ति—तत् मे शृणु॥
FAQs
They are three lenses for understanding the Lord’s presence: adhidaiva as the presiding divine controllers, adhyātma as the indwelling spiritual principle (Supersoul within), and adhibhūta as the Lord’s relation to the manifested material elements and beings.
In Canto 2, Chapter 10, Śukadeva is teaching Parīkṣit the Bhagavatam’s core framework (the Purana’s topics). This verse introduces a key philosophical mapping of how the one Supreme Lord is understood across cosmic, internal, and elemental levels.
See the divine order in nature and duty (adhidaiva), cultivate inner remembrance of the Lord in the heart (adhyātma), and treat the material world responsibly as the Lord’s energy (adhibhūta)—all of which supports steady bhakti and clarity of purpose.