Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 21

The Universal Form (Virāṭ-Puruṣa): The Lord’s Entry into the Elements, the Devas, and the Origin of Varṇāśrama

Devanagari script

हस्तावस्य विनिर्भिन्नाविन्द्र: स्वर्पतिराविशत् । वार्तयांशेन पुरुषो यया वृत्तिं प्रपद्यते ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

hastāv asya vinirbhinnāv indraḥ svar-patir āviśat vārtayāṁśena puruṣo yayā vṛttiṁ prapadyate

Translation

ต่อมา มือทั้งสองของรูปมหึมาปรากฏแยกกัน แล้วพระอินทร์ ผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งสวรรค์ได้เสด็จเข้าสู่มือเหล่านั้น ทำให้สัตว์โลกสามารถประกอบกิจการงานเพื่อเลี้ยงชีพได้

Synonyms

• हस्तौ: (the) two hands
• हस्तौ: Adhikarana/Avayava (अवयव-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), द्विवचन (Dual)

• अस्य: of him/its
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन (Singular)

• विनिर्भिन्नौ: separated/manifested apart
• विनिर्भिन्नौ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-निर्भिन्न (कृदन्त; √भिद् भेदने)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; विशेषणम् ‘हस्तौ’

• इन्द्रः: Indra
• इन्द्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्वःपतिः: lord of heaven
• स्वःपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वः + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative): स्वः (heaven) + पति (lord); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘इन्द्रः’ इति समानाधिकरण-विशेषणम्

• आविशत्: entered
• आविशत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√विश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वार्तया: by means of livelihood/occupation
• वार्तया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वार्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• अंशेन: by (his) portion/aspect
• अंशेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• पुरुषः: the person (embodied being)
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• यया: by which
• यया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; सम्बन्धः ‘वार्तया’

• वृत्तिम्: livelihood/means of subsistence
• वृत्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रपद्यते: attains/undertakes
• प्रपद्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√पद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Virāṭ-Puruṣa (Universal Form)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 3.6.21 say about the hands of the universal form?

It explains that when the hands of the Virāṭ-Puruṣa manifest, Indra enters them, and by the Lord’s empowering portion beings obtain the capacity for work and livelihood.

Why is Indra connected with the hands in the Virat-Purusha description?

In the Bhagavatam’s mapping of the cosmos to the universal body, specific devatās preside over particular organs; Indra presides over the hands, representing power, action, and governance of worldly activity.

How can this verse be applied in modern life?

It reminds one to see one’s ability to work and earn as divinely empowered, encouraging gratitude, ethical livelihood, and offering the fruits of work in devotion rather than in ego.