Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35
Kṛṣṇa Defeats Bāṇāsura and Receives Śiva’s Prayers
The Śoṇitapura Battle and the Jvara Episode
नाभिर्नभोऽग्निर्मुखमम्बु रेतो द्यौ: शीर्षमाशा: श्रुतिरङ्घ्रिरुर्वी । चन्द्रो मनो यस्य दृगर्क आत्मा अहं समुद्रो जठरं भुजेन्द्र: ॥ ३५ ॥ रोमाणि यस्यौषधयोऽम्बुवाहा: केशा विरिञ्चो धिषणा विसर्ग: । प्रजापतिर्हृदयं यस्य धर्म: स वै भवान् पुरुषो लोककल्प: ॥ ३६ ॥
nābhir nabho ’gnir mukham ambu reto dyauḥ śīrṣam āśāḥ śrutir aṅghrir urvī candro mano yasya dṛg arka ātmā ahaṁ samudro jaṭharaṁ bhujendraḥ
虚空为祢之脐，火为祢之面，水为祢之精，天界为祢之首。四方为祢之听觉，大地为祢之足，月为祢之心意，日为祢之眼光，而我为祢之我慢；大海为祢之腹，因陀罗为祢之臂。
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that just as the tiny bugs living inside a fruit cannot comprehend the fruit, so we tiny living beings cannot understand the Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom we exist. It is difficult to understand the cosmic manifestation of the Lord, what to speak of His transcendental form as Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we should surrender in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and the Lord Himself will help us understand.
FAQs
This verse identifies cosmic elements—sky, fire, sun, moon, directions, earth, ocean—as limbs and functions of the Lord, showing the universe as His body and energies.
After being defeated, Bāṇāsura seeks refuge by glorifying Kṛṣṇa’s supreme, all-pervading nature, acknowledging that even cosmic powers rest within Him.
It nurtures reverence and humility—seeing nature and all beings as connected to the Divine—supporting nonviolence, gratitude, and steady devotion.