1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.68.46

Who is speaking and story frame

त्वमेव मूर्ध्नीदमनन्त लीलया

भूमण्डलं बिभर्षि सहस्रमूर्धन् ।

अन्ते च य: स्वात्मनिरुद्धविश्व:

शेषेऽद्वितीय: परिशिष्यमाण: ॥ ४६ ॥

tvam eva mūrdhnīdam ananta līlayā

bhū-maṇḍalaṁ bibharṣi sahasra-mūrdhan

ante ca yaḥ svātma-niruddha-viśvaḥ

śeṣe ’dvitīyaḥ pariśiṣyamāṇaḥ

Translation

O unlimited one of a thousand heads, as Your pastime You carry this earthly globe upon one of Your heads. At the time of annihilation You withdraw the entire universe within Your body and, remaining all alone, lie down to rest.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Unlimited Lord Sustains the Earth

  1. 1

    The unlimited, thousand-headed Lord carries the earthly globe upon one of His heads.

  2. 2

    He carries the earth as His pastime, not as a difficult burden.

  3. 3

    At annihilation He withdraws the entire universe within His body and remains alone, lying down to rest.

How it feels

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 68: The Marriage of Sāmba

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

It is from us alone that the Yādavas have obtained their royal thrones, and yet now they are presuming themselves our equals. No longer will we extend to them royal privileges.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.68
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamYou
  2. evaalone
  3. mūrdhnion Your head
  4. idamthis
  5. anantaO unlimited one
  6. līlayāeasily, as a pastime
  7. bhūof the earth
  8. maṇḍalamthe globe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does the Lord’s effortless support of the earth help you appreciate about His greatness?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, pausing to appreciate the Lord’s unlimited sustaining power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Unlimited Lord Sustains the EarthThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.68.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.