Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 18

Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control

Devanagari script

उच्चै:श्रवास्तुरङ्गाणां धातूनामस्मि काञ्चनम् । यम: संयमतां चाहम् सर्पाणामस्मि वासुकि: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

uccaiḥśravās turaṅgāṇāṁ dhātūnām asmi kāñcanam yamaḥ saṁyamatāṁ cāham sarpāṇām asmi vāsukiḥ

Translation

在诸马之中，我是优钵罗婆（Uccaiḥśravā）；在诸金属之中，我是黄金。在一切约束与惩罚者之中，我是阎摩王；在诸蛇之中，我是婆苏吉。

Synonyms

• उच्चैःश्रवाः: Uccaiḥśravā (divine horse)
• उच्चैःश्रवाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उच्चैः (अव्यय) + श्रवस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयः (नामधेय-समास) ‘उच्चैः श्रवः यस्य’; पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Nom. m. sg.)

• तुरङ्गाणाम्: of horses
• तुरङ्गाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुरङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• धातूनाम्: of metals/minerals
• धातूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धातु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• अस्मि: I am
• अस्मि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (असँ भुवि)
• Form: लट् (present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन (1st sg.)

• काञ्चनम्: gold
• काञ्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काञ्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Nom./Acc. n. sg.); ‘अस्मि’ इत्यस्य पूरक (predicate nominative/accusative usage)

• यमः: Yama
• यमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Nom. m. sg.)

• संयमताम्: of the self-controlled
• संयमताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संयमत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्+√यम् (यमँ उपरमे) + शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त ‘restraining/controlling’; षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; एकवचन, प्रथमा (Nom. sg.)

• सर्पाणाम्: of serpents
• सर्पाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• अस्मि: I am
• अस्मि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (असँ भुवि)
• Form: लट् (present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन (1st sg.)

• वासुकिः: Vāsuki
• वासुकिः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुकि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Nom. m. sg.); ‘अस्मि’ इत्यस्य पूरक (predicate)

Characters & Entities

• Uccaiḥśravā
• Yama
• Vāsuki

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about seeing Krishna’s presence in the world (vibhutis)?

This verse teaches that Krishna can be recognized through the most eminent representatives of each category—like Uccaiḥśravā among horses, gold among metals, Yama among controllers, and Vāsuki among serpents—helping devotees perceive His presence everywhere.

Why did Krishna describe Uccaiḥśravā, gold, Yama, and Vāsuki to Uddhava?

In Canto 11 Chapter 16, Krishna instructs Uddhava on His vibhutis (divine opulences) so that Uddhava—and all seekers—can cultivate constant remembrance by identifying the Lord’s signature in outstanding beings and principles within creation.

Practical application: how can I use this verse in modern life for bhakti?

Train the mind to remember Krishna by linking everyday excellence to Him—when you see something supremely valuable (like gold), lawful accountability (justice), or extraordinary strength and prominence, consciously offer that perception back to Krishna as His manifestation.