Shloka 16

Kriyā-yoga, the Virāṭ-Puruṣa Mapping, and the Sun-God’s Monthly Expansions

Devanagari script

इन्द्रियाणि शरानाहुराकूतीरस्य स्यन्दनम् । तन्मात्राण्यस्याभिव्यक्तिं मुद्रयार्थक्रियात्मताम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

indriyāṇi śarān āhur ākūtīr asya syandanam tan-mātrāṇy asyābhivyaktiṁ mudrayārtha-kriyātmatām

Translation

ఆయన బాణాలు ఇంద్రియాలుగా చెప్పబడుతున్నాయి; ఆయన రథం ప్రబల క్రియాశీల మనస్సు (ఆకూతి). ఆయన బాహ్య ప్రాకట్యం తन्मాత్రలు, మరియు ఆయన హస్తముద్రలు సమస్త ప్రయోజనక్రియల సారస్వరూపం.

Synonyms

• इन्द्रियाणि: the senses
• इन्द्रियाणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• शरान्: arrows
• शरान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• आहुः: they say/call
• आहुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह्/ब्रू (धातु; आहुः-रूप)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• आकूतीः: intentions/volitions
• आकूतीः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकूति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• अस्य: of him/of it
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; ‘of him/its’

• स्यन्दनम्: chariot
• स्यन्दनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्यन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तन्मात्राणि: the tanmātras (subtle elements)
• तन्मात्राणि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तन् + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘the subtle elements (tanmātras)’

• अस्य: of him/of it
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• अभिव्यक्तिम्: manifestation
• अभिव्यक्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिव्यक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मुद्रया: by a seal/gesture (mudrā)
• मुद्रया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• अर्थक्रियात्मताम्: the state of being efficacious in action
• अर्थक्रियात्मताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ + क्रिया + आत्मता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘the nature of effective action (arthakriyā)’

Purport

All activity is ultimately aimed at the supreme perfection of life, and this perfection is awarded by the merciful hands of the Lord. The gestures of the Lord remove all fear from the heart of a devotee and elevate him to the Lord’s own association in the spiritual sky.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the senses (indriyas) in relation to the Supreme?

This verse portrays the senses as the Lord’s ‘arrows’—powerful instruments that, when directed, produce effects—indicating that sensory power ultimately rests on and is governed by the Supreme.

Why does Shukadeva Goswami describe the mind’s intention as a chariot in Canto 12?

In this cosmological and symbolic mapping, ākūti (inner resolve) is compared to a chariot because it carries and directs the senses toward their objects—showing how intention steers experience and action.

What is a practical application of this teaching for modern life?

By refining intention (ākūti) through devotion and discernment, one can steer the senses rather than be driven by them—turning sensory life into purposeful, dharmic action.