Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 – The Hymn of Virat Purusha (Part 1 of 3)

 

Srimad Bhagavata, the pinnacle of Puranic wisdom, eradicates ignorance and nurtures devotion. It unveils the divine, cleansing sins and guiding seekers to truth. Rooted in Dharma, it inspires sincere worship, free from jealousy or deception, ensuring spiritual progress. Composed by Sage Vyasa, it solidifies bhakti and reveals the Lord within.

॥ Hari Om ॥

जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट्

तेने ब्रह्महृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः ।

तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा

धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि ॥ १॥

"The Lord Sriman Narayana is the very essence of divine virtues, self-sustained, radiant with light, overflowing with boundless knowledge and bliss. He is the ‘Creator of The Universe,’ which encompasses countless forms of Himself, both the living beings and the non-living things. He sustains, transforms, and governs it all — bestowing both ignorance and wisdom, binding beings to the cycle of birth and death, and offering liberation to those who seek moksha. Thus, He is the Param, the Supreme.

In the dawn of creation, He manifested the first being, the four-faced Brahma, and gifted him the knowledge required to bring the cosmos into being. Through His blessings, wisdom unfolds. Though He seeks no gain for Himself, He creates and upholds the cosmos for the welfare of all living beings, endowed with all the wisdom necessary for such a grand design. For He is neither a juggler, nor a deceiver, crafting illusions in this world. Untainted by any flaw, He is the Satyam — the absolute truth.

With reverence, let us meditate upon Lord Sriman Narayana, the embodiment of Satyam and Param."

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां

वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।

श्रीमद्भागवते महामुनिकृते किं वा परैरीश्वरः

सद्यो हृद्यवरुध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥

"The Srimad Bhagavata encompasses the entirety of Dharma, safeguarding the soul from falling by purifying it, and guiding the individual soul towards the divine path leading to the Lord. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Lord, free from jealousy, expectation, or deceit. As one treads upon this path, all obstacles dissolve, prosperity is bestowed, and the heart becomes imbued with virtue, turning one into a Sajjana, a virtuous soul. Above all, it fortifies bhakti, deepening one’s devotion.

Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata, composed by the Lord in the form of sage Veda Vyasa shines as a beacon of truth, revealing Himself as Supreme Soul eternally resides in the heart of every living being."

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् ।

देवीं सरस्वतीं व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत् ॥

"Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Lord and bestows the blessings of abundance upon all Bhagavatas, enriching them with the divine knowledge of Srimad Bhagavata — a wealth that encompasses Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.

Salutations to the Gods Brahma and Vayu, the noblest of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Devotion, who inspires both wisdom and bhakti. Salutations to the divine Garuda, Sesha and Shiva, the greatest among the Vaishnavas.

Salutations to the Srimad Bhagavata, the sacred text that brings forth eternal victory and spiritual triumph."

यद्भनौ यत्क्र्शानौ यदमृतकिरणे यद् ग्रहेषू दितेषु

ज्योतिर्यत्तारकासु प्रथितमणिषु यद्यच्च सौदामिनिषु ।

सम्भूयौतत् समस्तं त्वदमितह्रदयाकाशनिर्यत्प्रकाशे

धीर श्रीराघवेन्द्रव्रतिवरभजते हन्त खद्योतरीतिम् ॥

The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.

Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghavendra, I worship you by surrendering myself.

As the hush of deep contemplation descended upon the sacred banks of the Ganga, King Parikshit sat in devout stillness. Within him, the flame of inquiry still flickered—kindled by Shukacharya’s radiant teachings on Dharana. He had heard of how the mind could anchor itself in the Divine, that Bhakti, or devotion, was the soul’s ultimate refuge, and that the sacred syllable OM had the power to draw the spirit within.

Yet now, his yearning deepened: Upon what should the seeker meditate? What vision could steady the flickering mind and bear it across the vast ocean of mortality?

Sensing this sacred readiness, Sri Shukacharya—eyes aglow, voice serene—unveiled the next step: Dharana upon the cosmic form of the Lord, the Virat Purusha—the Universe as the living body of the Divine.

श्रीशुक उवाच

जितासनो जितश्वासो जितसङ्गो जितेन्द्रियः ।
स्थूले भगवतो रूपे मनः सन्धारयेद्धिया ॥ २३॥

"Parakshit!" he began, "To embark upon the practice of Dharana, the yogi must first establish a stable foundation. He should sit in a firm and steady yogic posture, free from strain or restlessness. Through the practice of pranayama, he must draw his scattered senses inward—away from the fleeting attractions of the material world—and gain mastery over them. With his mind unshaken by external disturbances, he should sever all other interests and fix his entire being—mind, senses, and intellect—upon a singular, divine contemplation."

With unwavering clarity, Sri Shukacharya explained,
"Let the object of Dharana be the vast cosmic form of the Supreme Lord—the boundless universe itself. The yogi, in stillness and surrender, must behold this entire creation as the sacred body of Brahman, the Eternal and Absolute. Though Brahman is spoken of as both with form and without, He stands beyond all dualities, untouched by the qualities of Prakriti, yet present in every speck of existence. Thus, the yogi should hold firm the vision of the universe as His divine manifestation—just as the devotee gazes upon the consecrated idol in a temple, seeing not mere matter, but the living presence of the Divine."

Sri Shukacharya then described the divine form with reverence,

विशेषस्तस्य देहोऽयं स्थविष्ठश्च स्थवीयसाम् ।
यत्रेदं दृश्यते विश्वं भूतं भव्यं भवच्च सत् ॥२४॥

“O Parikshit, understand this: when the Supreme Lord, moved by His own divine intent, willed the creation into being, He did so by manifesting the cosmos through facets of His transcendental form. What you see—the entire universe—is not apart from Him, but a revelation of Him. He pervades it all, sustains it all, and remains ever-present in myriad forms.

Let the seeker behold the mountains and rivers, the stars and skies—not as separate entities, but as limbs of the Lord’s boundless body. That which was, that which is, and that which is yet to be—the eternal continuum of existence itself—is none other than the Lord, encompassing all time and space.

Thus, must the yogi train his sight: to behold the sacred in all things—the rustle of the wind, the glow of the sun, the serenity of the moon, and the gentle flow of rivers. With this vision awakened, he will see truly: there is nothing apart from the Divine. Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma—all this, indeed, is Brahman.”

आण्डकोशे शरीरेऽस्मिन् सप्तावरणसंयुते ।
वैराजः पुरुषो योऽसौ भगवान् धारणाश्रयः ॥ २५॥

With profound eloquence, Sri Shukacharya continued,

"The vast universe is none other than the cosmic body of the Supreme Being—the Virat Purusha. This divine form is veiled in seven sacred sheaths, representing the fundamental principles of creation—earth, water, fire, air, ether, the ego-principle (ahankara tattva), and the cosmic intelligence (maha tattva)—all arising from the latent potential of primordial nature, Prakriti. These layers cloak the Lord’s universal body in mystical splendor.

As the Virat, He radiates with transcendental brilliance—manifesting in countless forms, drawing all creation toward Him, and pervading existence with divine presence. Therefore, the yogi who practices Dharana must hold this vision steadily within to perceive the Lord in all forms, in all beings, and in every breath of life."

Thus, Sri Shukacharya resumed his divine utterance, his voice serene as the sacred river’s flow. “O Parikshit,” he said, “know this well: the Virat Purusha—the cosmic embodiment of the Supreme Lord—encompasses the entirety of creation within His transcendental form. Listen now, as I reveal their sacred praise—a vision to anchor the seeker in Dharana and devotion.”

This universal form, extolled by the wise and revered by spiritual seekers, is recited daily as a stotra—an offering of prayer and devotion in the path of Bhakti Yoga.

पातालमेतस्य हि पादमूलं

पठन्ति पार्ष्णिप्रपदे रसातलम् ।

महातलं विश्वसृजोऽथ गुल्फौ

तलातलं वै पुरुषस्य जङ्घे ॥ २६॥

"From the very soles of the Supreme Lord manifested Pātāla, the deepest of realms—Ananta Śeṣa resides here, and it is ruled by Vāsuki, the serpent king. This is the domain of the radiant Nāgas, whose jeweled hoods illuminate even the nethermost abyss. Far from a realm of torment, Pātāla is known as Bila-svarga—a subterranean heaven of opulence, mystery, and sacred stillness.

Above it, from the heels of the Lord, arose Rasātala—a realm ruled by the mighty but misguided Dānavas and Daityas, steeped in illusion. Though rich in material grandeur, it is veiled from spiritual light, echoing with the soul’s distant memory of Dharma and forgotten truth.

From His radiant ankles emerged Mahātala, home to multi-hooded serpents such as Kāliya and Takṣaka, born of Kadru. Here, latent power lies coiled like wisdom at rest—alert, potent, and ever wary of the sweep of Garuda’s wings.

And from His shanks, the cosmic pillars of strength, came forth Talātala—the realm of Maya, master of illusion. It is a domain where black magic distorts perception, and the line between real and unreal shifts like smoke. Yet even this elusive world is cradled within the Lord’s infinite form, held in His divine stillness."

द्वे जानुनी सुतलं विश्वमूर्ते-
रूरुद्वयं वितलं चातलं च ।
महीतलं तज्जघनं महीपते
नभस्तलं नाभिसरो गृणन्ति ॥ २७॥

"From the powerful knees of the Supreme Being emerged Sutala Loka, a realm sanctified by the presence of the pious Daitya king, Bali Maharaja. Though born of asuric lineage, Bali’s surrender to Lord Vamana transformed Sutala into a plane of divine grace and spiritual refuge. Here, humility reigns supreme, and the Lord Himself stands guard at Bali’s threshold—a testament to the power of devotion over birth.

From His mighty thighs, the twin realms of Atala and Vitala came forth. Atala, ruled by Bala, is a world of seductive illusions and pleasures that bind the soul in forgetfulness. Vitala, governed by Hara-Bhava—a fierce form of Shiva—is a realm of subterranean alchemy, where gold flows from mystical sources and the energies of transformation pulse beneath the surface. These lokas represent the soul’s flirtation with power and indulgence, yet they too are held within the Lord’s sacred form.

From the divine abdomen, vast and steady, arose Mahitala—a realm of cosmic equilibrium. It is the silent axis around which the lower worlds revolve, a plane were celestial serpents' dwell in contemplative stillness. Mahitala embodies the Lord’s sustaining power, His ability to hold the universe in balance even amidst chaos.

And then—O great King! —behold the navel, the sacred umbilicus of the cosmos. From this subtle depression burst forth Bhuvar Loka, the ethereal expanse between Earth and the heavens. It is the realm of Prana, of wind and breath, where Siddhas, Gandharvas, and semi-divine beings traverse the skies. Here, stars shimmer like jewels in the Lord’s cosmic belly, and galaxies swirl in rhythm with His eternal breath."

उरःस्थलं ज्योतिरनीकमस्य
तपो रराटीं विदुरादिपुंसः
सत्यं तु शीर्षाणि सहस्रशीर्ष्णः ॥ २८॥
ग्रीवा महर्वदनं वै जनोऽस्य ।

“From His mighty chest arose the vast luminary heavens—the Svarga Loka—radiant with celestial light. Here, the sun, moon, and stars move in their ordained dance, casting their divine brilliance upon the universe.

From His stately neck emerged the exalted Mahar Loka, a realm of great sages and seers, where wisdom flows like an eternal stream, and the flames of divine knowledge burn ever bright.
From His sacred mouth manifested the Jano Loka—a plane of purity and celestial beings, where the enlightened souls, freed from mortal bondage, reside in eternal contemplation of the Lord’s glory.
And from His divine forehead, radiant with spiritual intensity, arose the Tapo Loka—the realm of penance and asceticism. Here, the greatest yogis and rishis, through their unwavering austerities, seek union with the Supreme.

Finally, from the thousand majestic heads of the Virat Purusha blossomed the highest realm—Satya Loka, the abode of truth and the dwelling place of God Brahma, the creator. This is the supreme realm, untouched by time, where the light of eternal wisdom forever shines."

इन्द्रादयो बाहव आहुरुस्राः
कर्णौ दिशः श्रोत्रममुष्य शब्दः ।
नासत्यदस्रौ परमस्य नासे
घ्राणोऽस्य गन्धो मुखमग्निरिद्धः ॥ २९॥

"From the mighty shoulders of the Virat Purusha emerged the Devas, the celestial guardians of cosmic order. These radiant beings, born of divine strength, uphold the principles of dharma across the realms. Among them stands Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, crowned by the Lord’s will as Devendra, sovereign of the heavens. His rule is not of dominion, but of stewardship—ensuring balance between the elements and the aspirations of beings.

The ten directions—north, south, east, west, and the four intercardinal points, along with the zenith and nadir—sprang forth from the Lord’s ears, the sacred portals of perception. From these ears arose not just spatial orientation, but the faculty of hearing, and with it, the eternal principle of Shabda—the primordial sound. This Shabda Brahman, the vibrational essence of the Vedas, echoes through creation as Om, the seed of all mantras, the breath of the cosmos.

From His twin nostrils emerged the Ashwini Kumars, the divine twin physicians, radiant and swift as the dawn. Bearers of rejuvenation and vitality, they symbolize the restorative breath of the universe. The power of smell, born from the Lord’s subtle essence, became the fragrance of existence—the scent of sacred groves, of sandalwood and lotus, of the earth after rain, and of unseen celestial blossoms that bloom in realms beyond sight.

And from His mouth, the seat of divine speech, blazed forth Agni, the sacred fire. This fire is not merely elemental—it is the purifier, the messenger, the bridge between the mortal and the divine. Born of the Lord’s Vak Shakti, Agni carries the offerings of sacrifice (yajña) to the higher realms, transforming material into spiritual, desire into devotion. In this flame, the word becomes offering, and the offering becomes transcendence."

Thus begins the sacred vision of the Virat Purusha—a divine hymn to be recited, reflected upon, and absorbed daily, as the seeker journeys inward through the path of Dharana and Bhakti. The Stotra continues…

Śrī Vādirāja Tīrtharu (1480–1600), revered saint and composer, authored the Virāṭa Puruṣa Dhyāna in colloquial Kannada. Believed to be the future incarnation of Vāyu in the coming Kalpa, he infused the hymn with profound spiritual vision and set it to rāga, tāla, and bhāva for devotional recitation. In the Phala Śruti (verse of benefits), he declares it can dispel misfortune, remove dishonor, and grant closeness to the Lord, culminating in mukti (liberation). Today, this sacred stotra remains a cherished part of daily worship. 

May wish to check-out here: Virata Murthy Dhyana - Sri Vadirajaru

॥ Hari Om ॥