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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

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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 12 · Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa
12.11.27-2812.11.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.11.29

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 12.11.29inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

अनाद्यविद्यया विष्णोरात्मन: सर्वदेहिनाम् ।

निर्मितो लोकतन्त्रोऽयं लोकेषु परिवर्तते ॥ २९ ॥

sūta uvāca

anādy-avidyayā viṣṇor

ātmanaḥ sarva-dehinām

nirmito loka-tantro ’yaṁ

lokeṣu parivartate

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: The sun travels among all the planets and thus regulates their movements. It has been created by Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Soul of all embodied beings, through His beginningless material energy.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Sun Is Created by Lord Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    The sun travels among all the planets and regulates their movements.

  2. 2

    The sun has been created by Lord Viṣṇu through His beginningless material energy.

  3. 3

    Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Soul of all embodied beings.

How it feels

Wonder → Benediction and peace. The work closes by exalting hearing and remembering the Lord.

Chapters 11–13 of Canto 12: The Mahāpuruṣa and the glories of Bhāgavatam. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 11: Summary Description of the Mahāpuruṣa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Śaunaka shows further interest in learning about the expansion of Lord Hari in the form of the sun-god, Sūta replies that Lord Śrī Hari — the indwelling controller of the universe and its original creator — manifests Himself in the form of the demigod of the sun. Sages describe this sun-god in many features according to his different material designations.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sūtaḥ uvācaSūta Gosvāmī said
  2. anādibeginningless
  3. avidyayāby the illusory energy
  4. viṣṇoḥof Lord Viṣṇu
  5. ātmanaḥwho is the Supreme Soul
  6. sarva-dehināmof all embodied living beings
  7. nirmitaḥproduced
  8. loka-tantraḥthe regulator of the planets
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 12.11

    In this verse: “material”

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

When I notice the sun, do I remember its connection with Lord Viṣṇu?

Practice

When you notice daylight today, pause to remember Lord Viṣṇu as the sun's creator and the Supreme Soul.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sun Is Created by Lord ViṣṇuThis 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 12.11.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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