Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15

Dhruva’s Benediction from Kuvera and His Ascension to Viṣṇuloka

Dhruvaloka

Devanagari script

मन्यमान इदं विश्वं मायारचितमात्मनि । अविद्यारचितस्वप्नगन्धर्वनगरोपमम् ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

manyamāna idaṁ viśvaṁ māyā-racitam ātmani avidyā-racita-svapna- gandharva-nagaropamam

Translation

ధ్రువ మహారాజు ఈ జగత్తు పరమేశ్వరుని బాహ్య మాయచే నిర్మితమై, జీవులను స్వప్నం మరియు గంధర్వనగరంలా మోహింపజేస్తుందని గ్రహించాడు।

Synonyms

• manyamānaḥ: thinking/considering
• manyamānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु) → manyamāna (कृदन्त, शतृ/शानच्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• idam: this
• idam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• viśvam: universe
• viśvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• māyā-racitam: constructed by māyā
• māyā-racitam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + racita (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (मायया रचितम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• ātmani: in the Self
• ātmani: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरणम् (locative)

• avidyā-racita-svapna-gandharva-nagara-upamam: like a dream/like a gandharva-city, fashioned by ignorance
• avidyā-racita-svapna-gandharva-nagara-upamam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: avidyā (प्रातिपदिक) + racita (क्त-कृदन्त) + svapna (प्रातिपदिक) + gandharva (प्रातिपदिक) + nagara (प्रातिपदिक) + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (अविद्यया रचितः स्वप्नगन्धर्वनगरवत् उपमम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

Purport

In the deep forest it sometimes appears that there are big palaces and nice cities. That is technically called gandharva-nagara. Similarly, in dreams also we create many false things out of imagination. A self-realized person, or a devotee, knows well that this material cosmic manifestation is a temporary, illusory representation appearing to be truth. It is like a phantasmagoria. But behind this shadow creation there is reality — the spiritual world. A devotee is interested in the spiritual world, not its shadow. Since he has realization of the supreme truth, a devotee is not interested in this temporary shadow of truth. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā ( paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate ).

Characters & Entities

• Dhruva Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the world being an illusion (māyā)?

This verse explains that the universe, when seen apart from the soul and Bhagavān, is perceived as māyā—an appearance produced by ignorance, comparable to a dream or an illusory city.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe the universe as a dream and ‘gandharva-nagara’?

To show its insubstantiality for one awakened in spiritual knowledge—like dream-objects, it seems real while experienced, yet lacks lasting reality when ignorance is dispelled.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Treat temporary gains and losses with steadiness, reduce over-attachment to status and possessions, and deepen bhakti and self-knowledge so life is guided by lasting spiritual values.