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 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

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 1 · Chapter 3: Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations
1.3.61.3.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.3.7

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.3.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

द्वितीयं तु भवायास्य रसातलगतां महीम् ।

उद्धरिष्यन्नुपादत्त यज्ञेश: सौकरं वपु: ॥ ७ ॥

dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya

rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm

uddhariṣyann upādatta

yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ

Translation

The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar [the second incarnation], and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Extraordinary Acts Bring Welfare

  1. 1

    The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the form of a boar for the earth’s welfare. He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

  2. 2

    Each incarnation has a particular function, and these functions are extraordinary. The Lord performs deeds impossible for any ordinary living being.

  3. 3

    Nothing is impossible for the Personality of Godhead. Although He played the part of a boar, He remained transcendental and is worshiped by devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • The indication is that for each and every incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, the particular function executed is also mentioned.
  • The incarnation of the boar was to take the earth out of Pluto’s region of filthy matter.
  • Picking up something from a filthy place is done by a boar, and the all-powerful Personality of Godhead displayed this wonder to the asuras, who had hidden the earth in such a filthy place.

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

How it feels

Concern → Purpose. A spiritually urgent question emerges for the age of Kali.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 1: The sages ask the ultimate questions. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations

Sūta describes the Lord’s incarnations and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as His literary incarnation.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dvitīyamthe second
  2. tubut
  3. bhavāyafor the welfare
  4. asyaof this earth
  5. rasātalaof the lowest region
  6. gatāmhaving gone
  7. mahīmthe earth
  8. uddhariṣyanlifting
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.3

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worshiped”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.3

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 Lord’s extraordinary rescue of the earth deepen my appreciation of His transcendental nature?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of appreciation to the Lord for acting for the earth’s welfare.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Extraordinary Acts Bring WelfareThis 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 1.3.7? 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