Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 43

Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā

Devanagari script

भूतमात्रेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्ध्याशयात्मने । त्रिगुणेनाभिमानेन गूढस्वात्मानुभूतये ॥ ४२ ॥ नमोऽनन्ताय सूक्ष्माय कूटस्थाय विपश्चिते । नानावादानुरोधाय वाच्यवाचकशक्तये ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

bhūta-mātrendriya-prāṇa- mano-buddhy-āśayātmane tri-guṇenābhimānena gūḍha-svātmānubhūtaye

Translation

顶礼于您：您是诸元素、诸微细境（坦玛特拉）、诸根、生命气（普拉那），以及心、智与识之至上灵。依您安排，微小灵魂误认三德而自性觉知被遮蔽。我们再拜于您——无量至主、极其微妙、全知而常住不变的超越者；您随顺诸家哲说之对立见解，并为所说之义与能说之言的力量。

Synonyms

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: सम्बोधन-प्रयोग (Vocative usage/Salutation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/particle); नमस्कारार्थक

• अनन्ताय: to the Infinite (Ananta)
• अनन्ताय: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन

• सूक्ष्माय: subtle
• सूक्ष्माय: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying अनन्ताय)

• कूटस्थाय: unchanging / abiding (like an anvil)
• कूटस्थाय: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूटस्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• विपश्चिते: to the all-knowing / wise one
• विपश्चिते: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपश्चित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; (विपश्चित्-शब्दः, चतुर्थी एकवचन रूपम्)

• नानावादानुरोधाय: to Him who accords with diverse doctrines (as their inner ground)
• नानावादानुरोधाय: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाना + वाद + अनुरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नानावादानां अनुरोधः = conformity/accord with diverse doctrines)

• वाच्यवाचकशक्तये: to the power of the expressible and the expresser (meaning and word)
• वाच्यवाचकशक्तये: सम्प्रदान (चतुर्थी/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच्य + वाचक + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; समासः इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (वाच्य-शक्ति + वाचक-शक्ति)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Kāliya

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about realizing the Self beyond the three guṇas?

This verse teaches that the Lord is the inner Self of all faculties, yet He is hidden when consciousness is bound by identification with the three guṇas; true realization comes through inner awakening and devotion.

Why did the wives of Kāliya offer philosophical prayers to Kṛṣṇa?

Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy while their husband was being punished, they surrendered with hymns describing Him as the indwelling Self, seeking mercy and protection through devotion and right understanding.

Practical application of ‘not identifying with the guṇas’ in modern life?

Observe thoughts, emotions, and impulses as guṇa-driven movements of mind and body, and anchor identity in service to the Lord—reducing ego-reactivity and increasing clarity and devotion.