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

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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 25: The Glories of Lord Ananta
5.25.115.25.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.25.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.25.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मूर्धन्यर्पितमणुवत्सहस्रमूर्ध्नो

भूगोलं सगिरिसरित्समुद्रसत्त्वम् ।

आनन्त्यादनिमितविक्रमस्य भूम्न:

को वीर्याण्यधिगणयेत्सहस्रजिह्व: ॥ १२ ॥

mūrdhany arpitam aṇuvat sahasra-mūrdhno

bhū-golaṁ sagiri-sarit-samudra-sattvam

ānantyād animita-vikramasya bhūmnaḥ

ko vīryāṇy adhi gaṇayet sahasra-jihvaḥ

Translation

Because the Lord is unlimited, no one can estimate His power. This entire universe, filled with its many great mountains, rivers, oceans, trees and living entities, is resting just like an atom on one of His many thousands of hoods. Is there anyone, even with thousands of tongues, who can describe His glories?

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Power Is Beyond Measure

  1. 1

    Because the Lord is unlimited, no one can estimate His power.

  2. 2

    The entire universe, with its mountains, rivers, oceans, trees and living entities, rests like an atom on one of His many thousands of hoods.

  3. 3

    Even someone with thousands of tongues could not fully describe His glories.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 25: The Glories of Lord Ananta

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

There is no end to His strength, and no one can fully describe Him, even with countless mouths. Therefore He is called Ananta (unlimited).
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.25
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mūrdhanion a hood or head
  2. arpitamfixed
  3. aṇu-vatjust like an atom
  4. sahasra-mūrdhnaḥof Ananta, who has thousands of hoods
  5. bhū-golamthis universe
  6. sa-giri-sarit-samudra-sattvamwith many mountains, trees, oceans and living entities
  7. ānantyātdue to being unlimited
  8. animita-vikramasyawhose power is immeasurable
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 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

How does the image of the universe resting like an atom deepen my appreciation of the Lord?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, pausing to reflect on the Lord’s immeasurable power.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Power Is Beyond MeasureThis 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 5.25.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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