SB 11.16.32 — FolioCorpus

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.16.32

ओज: सहो बलवतां कर्माहं विद्धि सात्वताम् । सात्वतां नवमूर्तीनामादिमूर्तिरहं परा ॥ ३२ ॥

ojaḥ saho balavatāṁ

[ojah saho balavataam]

karmāhaṁ viddhi sātvatām

[karmaaham viddhi saatvataam]

sātvatāṁ nava-mūrtīnām

[saatvataam nava-moorteenaam]

ādi-mūrtir ahaṁ parā

[aadi-moortir aham paraa]

Word-for-word

ojaḥ — the sensory strength sahaḥ — and mental strength balavatām — of the strong karma — the devotional activities aham — I am viddhi — please know sātvatām — among the devotees sātvatām — among those devotees nava-mūrtīnām — who worship Me in nine forms ādi-mūrtiḥ — the original form, Vāsudeva aham — I am parā — the Supreme.

Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)

ojaḥ saho balavatāṁ

ojaḥ

the sensory strength

sahaḥ

and mental strength

balavatām

of the strong

karmāhaṁ viddhi sātvatām

karma

the devotional activities

aham

I am

viddhi

please know

sātvatām

among the devotees

sātvatāṁ nava-mūrtīnām

sātvatām

among those devotees

nava-mūrtīnām

who worship Me in nine forms

ādi-mūrtir ahaṁ parā

ādi-mūrtiḥ

the original form, Vāsudeva

aham

I am

parā

the Supreme.

Of the powerful I am bodily and mental strength, and I am the devotional activities of My devotees. My devotees worship Me in nine different forms, among which I am the original and primary Vāsudeva.

Purport

Generally, the Vaiṣṇavas worship the Personality of Godhead as Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Nārāyaṇa, Hayagrīva, Varāha, Nṛsiṁha and Brahmā. It is understood that when a suitable living entity is not available to fill the post of Brahmā, the Lord Himself assumes the position; therefore Lord Brahmā is mentioned in the list. Lord Viṣṇu sometimes appears as Indra and sometimes as Brahmā, and it is Viṣṇu appearing as Brahmā who is indicated in this connection.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Gauḍīya Ācāryas

Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya

Translation

Know that of the powerful, I am strength of the senses and mind, and I am the devotional activities of my devotees. My devotees worship me in nine different forms, among which I am the principal form Vāsudeva. Among the strong, I am mental (sahaḥ) and sensual strength (ojaḥ). I am actions like hearing and chanting of the devotees (sātvatām). Among the nine forms that they worship—Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Nārāyaṇa, Hayagrīva, Varāha, Nṛsiṁha, and Brahmā--I am the principal form Vāsudeva. Just as Viṣṇu sometimes becomes Indra as in Svāyambhuva-mantantara, when Yajña became Indra, so in some mahā-kalpas, Viṣṇu becomes Brahmā. The Brahmā mentioned among the nine is a form of Viṣṇu as Brahmā.

Personal Guidance

Among the powerful He is bodily and mental strength, and He is the devotional activities of devotees; among the nine forms of worship He is original Vāsudeva. Devotion itself is His expression.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean for me that my own devotional activity is the Lord's expansion?
How could I treat it with more care?

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io