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 8 · Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations · 24 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324

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 ›
Canto 8 · Chapter 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva
8.12.358.12.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 8.12.36

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 8.12.17inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथावगतमाहात्म्य आत्मनो जगदात्मन: । अपरिज्ञेयवीर्यस्य न मेने तदुहाद्भ‍ुतम् ॥ ३६ ॥

athāvagata-māhātmya

ātmano jagad-ātmanaḥ

aparijñeya-vīryasya

na mene tad u hādbhutam

Translation

Thus Lord Śiva could understand his position and that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has unlimited potencies. Having reached this understanding, he was not at all surprised by the wonderful way Lord Viṣṇu had acted upon him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is Everyone’s Supreme Master

  1. 1

    Lord Śiva understood his own position and the unlimited potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He was therefore not surprised by Lord Viṣṇu’s actions.

  2. 2

    No one can equal or surpass the Supreme Lord. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the only master of everyone, including Lord Śiva.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva already knew Lord Viṣṇu’s supreme power. After personally experiencing it, he felt proud to have such an exalted master.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as all-powerful because no one can excel Him in any activity.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the only master of everyone, including even Lord Śiva, what to speak of others.
  • Lord Śiva was already aware of the supreme power of Lord Viṣṇu, but when he was actually put into bewilderment, he felt proud to have such an exalted master.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 8.12.36 quotesBG 7.7

In Bhagavad-gītā (7.7) the Lord says, mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya: “O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me.”

The purport of SB 8.12.36 quotesCC Ādi 5.142

As stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 5.142), ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Danger and ambition → Divine rescue and surprise. Cooperation, rivalry and revelation alternate rapidly.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 8: Churning the ocean, poison and nectar. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: The Mohinī-mūrti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Śiva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Again, however, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can overcome the influence of māyā. This was evinced by Lord Śiva, the topmost devotee of the Lord.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 8.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athathus
  2. avagatabeing fully convinced about
  3. māhātmyaḥthe greatness
  4. ātmanaḥof himself
  5. jagat-ātmanaḥand of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. aparijñeya-vīryasyawho has unlimited potency
  7. nanot
  8. menedid consider
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 8.12

    In this verse: “proud”

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 would remembering Kṛṣṇa as my supreme master change my attitude toward service?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, remember that Kṛṣṇa is the master and you are His servant.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Everyone’s Supreme MasterThis 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 8.12.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories