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Janmady Asya Yatah (Bhagavata Mangalacharana) — Word-by-Word Meaning

जन्माद्यस्य यतः

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

जन्म-आदि
janma-ādi
creation, maintenance and dissolution
अस्य
asya
of this (the manifested universe)
यतः
yataḥ
from whom
अन्वयात्
anvayāt
directly (present in everything)
इतरतः
itarataḥ
indirectly (absent from manifestation)
च
ca
and
अर्थेषु
artheṣu
in all affairs / purposes
अभिज्ञः
abhijñaḥ
fully conscious, perfectly aware
स्वराट्
svarāṭ
fully independent, self-luminous
तेने
tene
imparted, breathed forth
ब्रह्म
brahma
the Vedic knowledge
हृदा
hṛdā
through the heart
आदि-कवये
ādi-kavaye
unto the first created being (Brahma)
मुह्यन्ति
muhyanti
are bewildered
यत्
yat
about whom
सूरयः
sūrayaḥ
great sages and demigods
तेजो-वारि-मृदाम्
tejo-vāri-mṛdām
of fire, water and earth
विनिमयः
vinimayaḥ
the exchange / interaction
त्रि-सर्गः
tri-sargaḥ
the threefold creation (of the three modes)
अमृषा
amṛṣā
factual, real in its dependence
धाम्ना स्वेन
dhāmnā svena
by His own abode / inherent effulgence
निरस्त-कुहकम्
nirasta-kuhakam
free of all illusion / deceit
सत्यं परं
satyaṃ param
the Supreme Absolute Truth
धीमहि
dhīmahi
let us meditate upon

Complete Translation

I offer my obeisances unto Lord Vasudeva. Let us meditate upon the Supreme Absolute Truth, from whom the creation, maintenance and dissolution of this universe proceed — who is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations and is fully independent, free of any other cause. It is He who imparted the Vedic knowledge through the heart to Brahma, the first created sage, and about whom even the greatest of demigods and sages are bewildered. Just as fire, water and earth appear to be exchanged for one another, in Him the threefold creation of the three modes of nature appears real though it is but an illusory transformation. By His own self-effulgent abode He is forever free of all illusion. Upon that Supreme Truth, the Absolute, we meditate.

Origin & History

Source: Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Canto 1, Chapter 1, Verse 1 (Mangalacharana)

Author: Veda Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana)

Period: Puranic

The Srimad Bhagavata opens not with a story but with this single, deeply philosophical invocation. Having compiled the Vedas, the Mahabharata and the other Puranas, Veda Vyasa still felt unsatisfied. Under the guidance of Narada Muni, he composed the Bhagavata as the 'ripened fruit of the Vedic tree.' He prefaced it with this verse so that the entire purpose of the scripture — meditation on the Supreme Truth, Vasudeva-Krishna — would be declared at the very outset. Commentators across traditions have written extensive treatises on this one verse alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Janmady asya yatah?▼
It is the very first verse (mangalacharana, or auspicious invocation) of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana — Canto 1, Chapter 1, Verse 1 — preceded by the salutation 'Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya'. It defines the Supreme Absolute Truth and sets the theme for the whole scripture.
Why is it said to be based on the Gayatri mantra?▼
The verse ends with 'satyam param dhimahi' — 'we meditate upon the Supreme Truth' — directly echoing the 'dhimahi' of the Gayatri mantra. Traditional commentators say Vyasa began the Bhagavata with a meditation modeled on the Gayatri, making the Bhagavata the natural commentary on it.
What does 'svarat' mean here?▼
Svarat means fully independent and self-luminous. It declares that the Supreme Truth depends on no other cause, unlike the created universe which depends entirely upon Him.
When should this verse be recited?▼
It is recited at the beginning of any reading, recitation, or discourse on the Srimad Bhagavata, and may be chanted daily as an invocation for wisdom and devotion.

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