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Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 9

Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent

Prelude to Prahlāda’s History

ज्योतिरादिरिवाभाति सङ्घातान्न विविच्यते । विदन्त्यात्मानमात्मस्थं मथित्वा कवयोऽन्तत: ॥ ९ ॥

jyotir-ādir ivābhāti saṅghātān na vivicyate vidanty ātmānam ātma-sthaṁ mathitvā kavayo ’ntataḥ

至上人格神作为遍在的至心灵,住在一切众生的心中。正如可从木中知火、从壶中知水、从器中知虚空,智者亦能由一个人的奉爱行持而了知主对他垂恩的深浅。

jyotiḥlight
jyotiḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootjyotis (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
ādiḥthe origin/first cause
ādiḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootādi (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
ivalike/as if
iva:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/उपमा)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootiva (अव्यय)
FormUpamā-avyaya (उपमाव्यय), comparative particle
ābhātishines/appears
ābhāti:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√bhā (भा धातु)
FormLaṭ-lakāra (लट्/Present), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
saṅghātātfrom the aggregate/collection
saṅghātāt:
Apādāna (अपादान)
TypeNoun
Rootsaṅghāta (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular (एकवचन)
nanot
na:
Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNiṣedha-avyaya (निषेधाव्यय), negation particle
vivicyateis distinguished/separated
vivicyate:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√vic (विच् धातु)
FormLaṭ-lakāra (लट्/Present), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), Passive sense (कर्मणि प्रयोग)
vidantiknow/realize
vidanti:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√vid (विद् धातु)
FormLaṭ-lakāra (लट्/Present), Prathama-puruṣa (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)
ātmānamthe Self
ātmānam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootātman (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)
ātma-sthamsituated in the self
ātma-stham:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootātman (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
FormTatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ātmani stham), Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying ātmānam
mathitvāhaving churned (inquired deeply)
mathitvā:
Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeVerb
Root√math (मथ् धातु)
FormAbsolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा/ल्यप्), having churned/after churning
kavayaḥsages/poets
kavayaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootkavi (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Plural (बहुवचन)
antataḥfinally/ultimately
antataḥ:
Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootantatas (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya (अव्यय), adverb of manner/time

In Bhagavad-gītā (10.41) the Lord says:

FAQs

This verse explains that although the soul seems blended with the body’s material aggregate, the wise ultimately discern the indwelling Self as distinct—through deep inquiry and inner contemplation.

To show how something real can appear concealed within another substance: as fire is present yet not obvious in wood, the soul is present in the body yet not recognized without spiritual discernment.

Practice seeing yourself as the conscious witness rather than the body-mind—through study, reflection, and meditation—so identity shifts from temporary conditions to the enduring Self.