Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 18

Kriyā-yoga, the Virāṭ-Puruṣa Mapping, and the Sun-God’s Monthly Expansions

Devanagari script

भगवान् भगशब्दार्थं लीलाकमलमुद्वहन् । धर्मं यशश्च भगवांश्चामरव्यजनेऽभजत् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavān bhaga-śabdārthaṁ līlā-kamalam udvahan dharmaṁ yaśaś ca bhagavāṁś cāmara-vyajane ’bhajat

Translation

至上主嬉戏般持一莲华，此莲象征“bhaga”一词所指诸般圆满；主亦受一对拂尘（cāmara）之奉事，此二拂尘即法（dharma）与名闻（fame）。

Synonyms

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• भगशब्दार्थम्: the meaning of the word “bhaga”
• भगशब्दार्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भग + शब्द + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘the meaning of the word bhaga’

• लीलाकमलम्: the play-lotus (lotus as emblem)
• लीलाकमलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लीला + कमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘the lotus (as) play’ / ‘play-lotus’

• उद्वहन्: bearing
• उद्वहन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + वह् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘carrying/bearing’

• धर्मम्: dharma
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• यशः: fame
• यशः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• भगवान्: the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुनरुक्त-कर्ता-निर्देश

• चामरव्यजने: in the cāmara-fan (service)
• चामरव्यजने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चामर + व्यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘in/with the yak-tail fan (cāmara)’

• अभजत्: he partook/accepted/engaged in
• अभजत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Bhagavān (Śrī Hari/Nārāyaṇa)

FAQs

What is the meaning of ‘Bhagavān’ according to Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse indicates that Bhagavān is the complete embodiment of ‘bhaga’—divine opulences—naturally possessing and displaying dharma (righteousness), yaśas (fame), and sovereign majesty.

Why is the Lord described as holding a lotus and being fanned with cāmara whisks?

The lotus and cāmara are classical royal and divine emblems, showing the Lord’s supreme sovereignty and worshipful status, while also highlighting His līlā—His playful, personal presence.

How can a devotee apply the teaching of this shloka in modern life?

By remembering God as the true source of all greatness—dharma, honor, and prosperity—one can seek righteousness and devotion over status, offering respect and service to the Lord rather than chasing temporary prestige.