Shloka 57

Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā

Devanagari script

त्वया सृष्टमिदं विश्वं धातर्गुणविसर्जनम् । नानास्वभाववीर्यौजोयोनिबीजाशयाकृति ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

tvayā sṛṣṭam idaṁ viśvaṁ dhātar guṇa-visarjanam nānā-svabhāva-vīryaujo- yoni-bījāśayākṛti

Translation

โอ้พระผู้สร้างสูงสุด จักรวาลนี้พระองค์ทรงเนรมิตขึ้นเอง ประกอบด้วยการจัดวางคุณะทั้งสามอย่างหลากหลาย และในนั้นพระองค์ทรงสำแดงสรรพชีวิตและสปีชีส์ต่างๆ พร้อมทั้งนิสัย พลังเดช กำลังอินทรีย์และกาย ตลอดจนบิดามารดาหลากจิตใจและรูปทรง

Synonyms

• tvayā: by you
• tvayā: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sṛṣṭam: created
• sṛṣṭam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sṛj (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (कृत्—क्त), Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with viśvam

• idam: this
• idam: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य/that which is qualified)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• viśvam: universe
• viśvam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• dhātaḥ: O Creator
• dhātaḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• guṇa-visarjanam: manifestation of the guṇas
• guṇa-visarjanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Predicate qualifier of viśvam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + visarjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: guṇānāṁ visarjanam = emission/manifestation of qualities

• nānā: various
• nānā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nānā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverbial sense ‘variously/many kinds’

• svabhāva-vīrya-ojaḥ-yoni-bīja-āśaya-ākṛti: having (various) natures, powers, energies, wombs, seeds, abodes, and forms
• svabhāva-vīrya-ojaḥ-yoni-bīja-āśaya-ākṛti: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Predicate qualifier of viśvam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svabhāva (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + ojas (प्रातिपदिक) + yoni (प्रातिपदिक) + bīja (प्रातिपदिक) + āśaya (प्रातिपदिक) + ākṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; samāhāra-dvandva (समाहार-द्वन्द्व) listing constituents; predicate qualifier of viśvam

Purport

Commenting on this verse, Śrīla Madhvācārya has quoted the Nārada Purāṇa as follows: “From Hiraṇyagarbha, Brahmā, comes the second creation of this universe, but the universe is primarily created by Viṣṇu Himself. Viṣṇu is thus the primary creator, and four-headed Brahmā is merely the secondary creator.”

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Brahmā (Dhātā)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the universe being created through the three guṇas?

This verse states that the universe manifests through the projection of the material modes (guṇas), producing innumerable varieties of natures, strengths, species, causes (seeds), and forms—yet all ultimately depend on the Supreme’s arrangement.

Why do the Nāga-patnīs speak about creation while praying to Kṛṣṇa in the Kāliya episode?

They glorify Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position by acknowledging that cosmic variety arises by divine design; by praising His control over nature, they beg mercy for Kāliya and affirm Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate refuge.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Seeing diversity of bodies, temperaments, and circumstances as part of a higher order reduces envy and anxiety, and inspires humility, responsibility, and devotion—turning one’s focus from control to surrender and right action.