Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 14

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

तस्यैवं युञ्जतश्चित्तं महायोगेन योगिन: । व्यतीयाय महान् कालो मन्वन्तरषडात्मक: ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

tasyaivaṁ yuñjataś cittaṁ mahā-yogena yoginaḥ vyatīyāya mahān kālo manvantara-ṣaḍ-ātmakaḥ

Translation

Khi vị hiền triết yogi ấy chuyên chú tâm bằng đại yoga, thì một đại thời gian tương đương sáu manvantara đã trôi qua.

Synonyms

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (manner adverb)

• युञ्जतः: of (him) concentrating
• युञ्जतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज् (धातु) → युञ्जत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; dependent on योगिनः (of the yogin who is concentrating)

• चित्तम्: mind
• चित्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• महा-योगेन: by great yoga (deep meditation)
• महा-योगेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; समास: कर्मधारय ‘महान् योगः’

• योगिनः: of the yogin
• योगिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• व्यतीयाय: passed (elapsed)
• व्यतीयाय: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + अति + इ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• महान्: great
• महान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण of कालः

• कालः: time
• कालः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

• मन्वन्तर-षट्-आत्मकः: consisting of six manvantaras
• मन्वन्तर-षट्-आत्मकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मन्वन्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + षट् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण of कालः; समास: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘मन्वन्तराणां षट् आत्मा यस्य’ = consisting of six manvantaras

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about time passing during deep meditation (samadhi)?

This verse states that while the yogī’s mind remained absorbed in great yoga, an immense duration—six manvantaras—elapsed, showing how worldly time can pass unnoticed in profound absorption.

Why is Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi described as experiencing six manvantaras passing?

Śukadeva explains that Mārkaṇḍeya’s consciousness was deeply yoked in mahā-yoga; the narrative highlights the extraordinary depth of his samādhi and introduces the Bhagavatam’s discussion of cosmic time.

Practical application of this teaching about time and concentration in modern life?

The verse encourages disciplined focus: when attention is truly absorbed (ideally in devotion and remembrance of the Lord), distractions and the sense of time diminish—supporting steadiness in sādhana and daily duties.