Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 10

Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura

Devanagari script

यथा दारुमयी नारी यथा पत्रमयो मृग: । एवं भूतानि मघवन्नीशतन्त्राणि विद्धि भो: ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

yathā dārumayī nārī yathā patramayo mṛgaḥ evaṁ bhūtāni maghavann īśa-tantrāṇi viddhi bhoḥ

Translation

Hỡi vua Indra, như búp bê gỗ hình người nữ hay con thú làm bằng lá cỏ không thể tự múa hay tự động, mà hoàn toàn tùy người điều khiển, cũng vậy chúng ta đều “múa” theo ý muốn của Đấng Tối Thượng, Bhagavan; không ai độc lập.

Synonyms

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा/प्रकार-अव्यय (adverb ‘as/just as’)

• dāru-mayī: made of wood
• dāru-mayī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dāru (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मयट्-अर्थे तत्पुरुषः (‘made of wood’)

• nārī: woman
• nārī: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• yathā: just as
• yathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा/प्रकार-अव्यय

• patra-mayaḥ: made of leaves
• patra-mayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: patra (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘made of leaves’)

• mṛgaḥ: deer
• mṛgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार-अव्यय (thus/in this way)

• bhūtāni: beings
• bhūtāni: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• maghavan: O Maghavan (Indra)
• maghavan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maghavan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; इन्द्र-नाम

• īśa-tantrāṇi: governed by the Lord
• īśa-tantrāṇi: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: īśa (प्रातिपदिक) + tantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘ईशस्य तन्त्रेण नियन्त्रितानि’ (dependent on the Lord’s control)

• viddhi: know
• viddhi: Kriyā (क्रिया/Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vid (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन

• bhoḥ: O!
• bhoḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhoḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्बोधन-अव्यय (vocative particle)

Purport

This is confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 5.142) :

Characters & Entities

• Indra (Maghavan)
• Īśa (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Supreme Lord controlling all beings?

This verse states that beings function like puppets—like a wooden doll or a leaf-deer—acting under the Lord’s direction (īśa-tantra), emphasizing God’s ultimate sovereignty.

Why did Vṛtrāsura say this to Indra (Maghavan)?

In the midst of battle, Vṛtrāsura instructs Indra to see beyond ego and blame, reminding him that outcomes and actions unfold under the Supreme Lord’s governance, not merely personal power.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Do your duty sincerely, but release pride and anxiety over results—recognize a higher order at work, and cultivate humility, accountability, and devotion while acting responsibly.