Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 67

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

विष्णुर्गत्यैव चरणौ नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् । नाडीर्नद्यो लोहितेन नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

viṣṇur gatyaiva caraṇau nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ nāḍīr nadyo lohitena nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ

Translation

毗湿奴以行走之力进入祂的双足，然而毗罗吒·普鲁沙仍不肯起身。诸河随血液与循环之力进入祂的血脉，但这宇宙之身依旧不为所动。

Synonyms

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• गत्या: by movement
• गत्या: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• चरणौ: the two feet
• चरणौ: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध (negation particle)

• उदतिष्ठत्: arose/stood up
• उदतिष्ठत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• तदा: then
• तदा: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• विराट्: the Virāṭ (cosmic being)
• विराट्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विराज्/विराट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• नाडीः: the channels (nāḍīs)
• नाडीः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाडी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• नद्यः: the rivers
• नद्यः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• लोहितेन: by blood
• लोहितेन: करण (Karaṇa/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध (negation particle)

• उदतिष्ठत्: arose/stood up
• उदतिष्ठत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• तदा: then
• तदा: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• विराट्: the Virāṭ
• विराट्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विराज्/विराट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Virāṭ (Universal Form)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Virāṭ-rūpa becoming active?

This verse states that the Virāṭ (universal form) becomes functional only when Viṣṇu enters as the empowering principle—here specifically as movement (activating the feet) and as circulation (blood flowing through veins and rivers).

Why does Lord Kapila describe Viṣṇu entering the feet and the blood of the Virāṭ form?

Kapila teaches Devahūti that matter alone cannot act; the Lord’s presence empowers each system of the cosmos. The feet symbolize locomotion and the blood/veins symbolize circulation—both require divine activation.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Recognize that ability and vitality are ultimately gifts; cultivate humility and devotion by seeing one’s movement, strength, and life-breath as supported by the Supreme, and use them in dharmic service.