Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 24

Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha

Devanagari script

त्वं ब्रह्म परमं गुह्यं सदसद्भ‍ावभावनम् । नानाशक्तिभिराभातस्त्वमात्मा जगदीश्वर: ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

tvaṁ brahma paramaṁ guhyaṁ sad-asad-bhāva-bhāvanam nānā-śaktibhir ābhātas tvam ātmā jagad-īśvaraḥ

Translation

你是至高梵（Brahman），最为幽秘，自光明，亦为有与无诸相之根源。你以种种神力在宇宙中显现；你即是内我，亦是世界之主。

Synonyms

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• brahma: Brahman (the Absolute)
• brahma: Pradhāna (विधेय/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate noun

• paramam: supreme
• paramam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agreeing with brahma

• guhyam: secret/mysterious
• guhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agreeing with brahma

• sat-asat-bhāva-bhāvanam: the source of being and non-being
• sat-asat-bhāva-bhāvanam: Pradhāna (विधेय/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat + asat + bhāva + bhāvana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘सत्-असत्-भावानां भावनम्’ = source/producer of states of being and non-being

• nānā-śaktibhiḥ: by various powers
• nānā-śaktibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; अव्ययीभाव: ‘नानाप्रकारैः’ + शक्तिभिः

• ābhātaḥ: manifest (as)
• ābhātaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√bhā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृदन्त), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; used predicatively: ‘manifest/appearing’

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (reiterated)

• ātmā: the Self
• ātmā: Pradhāna (विधेय/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate noun

• jagad-īśvaraḥ: Lord of the universe
• jagad-īśvaraḥ: Pradhāna (विधेय/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘जगतः ईश्वरः’

Purport

This prayer is offered to the impersonal Brahman, which consists of the effulgent rays of Parabrahman. Parabrahman is the Supreme Personality of Godhead ( paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān ). When Lord Śiva is worshiped as Parabrahman, the worship is meant for Lord Viṣṇu.

Characters & Entities

• Lord Śiva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Brahman being the source of both manifest and unmanifest reality?

This verse states that the Supreme Reality is the hidden, supreme Brahman who generates and sustains both sat (the manifest) and asat (the unmanifest), showing that all states of existence depend on Him.

Why did the demigods glorify Lord Śiva as the Self and Lord of the universe in Canto 8 Chapter 7?

In the crisis of the halāhala poison during the ocean-churning, the devas sought Śiva’s shelter and praised him in exalted terms, recognizing his cosmic role and his empowerment by the Supreme to protect the worlds.

Practical application of understanding 'nānā-śaktibhiḥ' (many divine energies) in modern life?

Seeing one divine source behind diverse powers and outcomes cultivates humility, steadiness in success or failure, and devotion—recognizing that abilities, nature, and circumstances function through higher energies.