Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

कालो देश: क्रिया कर्ता करणं कार्यमागम: । द्रव्यं फलमिति ब्रह्मन् नवधोक्तोऽजया हरि: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

kālo deśaḥ kriyā kartā karaṇaṁ kāryam āgamaḥ dravyaṁ phalam iti brahman navadhokto ’jayā hariḥ

Translation

婆罗门啊，作为物质能量之源的至上人格神哈利，以太阳神之扩展被描述为九种面向：时间、处所、努力、行者、器具、特定祭仪、经典、供奉之物与所成之果。

Synonyms

• kālaḥ: time
• kālaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• deśaḥ: place
• deśaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kriyā: action/rite
• kriyā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kartā: agent/doer
• kartā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• karaṇam: instrument/means
• karaṇam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kāryam: that which is to be done (task)
• kāryam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• āgamaḥ: scriptural injunction/tradition
• āgamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dravyam: substance/material
• dravyam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dravya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• phalam: result/fruit
• phalam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-list item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्ति-बोधक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• brahman: O brāhmaṇa (sage)
• brahman: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• navadhā: in nine ways
• navadhā: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: navadhā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• uktaḥ: said, described
• uktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (धातु) (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त: क्त (past passive participle) ‘उक्त’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• ajayā: by (His) Māyā/Prakṛti
• ajayā: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘अजा’ = माया/प्रकृति (Māyā/Prakṛti)

• hariḥ: Hari
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Suta Gosvami
• Saunaka

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the ninefold description of Hari (navadhā)?

This verse states that Hari, along with His māyā, is explained through nine categories—time, place, action, agent, instruments, the task, scripture, substance, and result—showing how all experience and karma operate under His supremacy.

Why did Suta Gosvami say this to Saunaka in Canto 12 Chapter 11?

In the chapter summarizing the Bhagavatam’s essential teachings, Suta answers the sages’ inquiries by presenting a structured overview of how the Lord is understood in relation to the world and action—linking metaphysics (Hari and māyā) with practical life (karma and its fruits).

Practical application of this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

See your actions through these nine factors—especially time, means, and results—and cultivate humility: do your duty responsibly, rely on śāstra-guided choices, and offer the fruit to Hari rather than becoming attached to outcomes.