Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
श्रीसनन्दन उवाच स्वसृष्टमिदमापीय शयानं सह शक्तिभि: । तदन्ते बोधयां चक्रुस्तल्लिङ्गै: श्रुतय: परम् ॥ १२ ॥ यथा शयानं संराजं वन्दिनस्तत्पराक्रमै: । प्रत्यूषेऽभेत्य सुश्लोकैर्बोधयन्त्यनुजीविन: ॥ १३ ॥
śrī-sanandana uvāca sva-sṛṣṭam idam āpīya śayānaṁ saha śaktibhiḥ tad-ante bodhayāṁ cakrus tal-liṅgaiḥ śrutayaḥ param
Śrī Sanandana đáp: Sau khi thu nhiếp vũ trụ do chính Ngài đã tạo, Đấng Tối Thượng nằm một thời như đang ngủ; mọi śakti của Ngài cũng an tĩnh, tiềm ẩn trong Ngài. Khi đến kỳ sáng tạo mới, các Veda được nhân cách hóa đã ca tụng vinh quang để đánh thức Ngài—như các thi nhân phụng sự vua đến lúc bình minh, ngâm tụng chiến công để gọi vua dậy.
At the time of creation, the Vedas are the first emanation from the breathing of Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu, and in personified form they serve Him by waking Him from His mystic sleep. This statement made by Sanandana implies that Sanaka and the other sages had asked him the same question that Nārada had asked Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and Mahārāja Parīkṣit had asked Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Sanandana refers the question back to the example of the personified Vedas themselves in their address to Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu. Even though the Vedas knew that the Lord, being omniscient, does not need to be informed of His glories, they enthusiastically took this opportunity to praise Him.
FAQs
This verse says the personified Vedas (Śrutis) awaken and reveal the Supreme through His ‘liṅgas’—recognizable indications and teachings that point to Him as the ultimate reality.
Sanandana, one of the Four Kumāras, is speaking—describing how the Śrutis (Vedas) address and glorify the Supreme Lord during the cosmic cycle of dissolution and re-manifestation.
By learning scripture carefully and using its clear signs—God’s names, qualities, teachings, and the guidance of sādhus—to recognize the Lord’s presence and purpose beyond temporary appearances.