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

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 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 3 · Chapter 10: Divisions of the Creation
3.10.133.10.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.14

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.10.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सर्गो नवविधस्तस्य प्राकृतो वैकृतस्तु य: ।

कालद्रव्यगुणैरस्य त्रिविध: प्रतिसंक्रम: ॥ १४ ॥

sargo nava-vidhas tasya

prākṛto vaikṛtas tu yaḥ

kāla-dravya-guṇair asya

tri-vidhaḥ pratisaṅkramaḥ

Translation

There are nine different kinds of creations besides the one which naturally occurs due to the interactions of the modes. There are three kinds of annihilations due to eternal time, the material elements and the quality of one’s work.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation and Annihilation Follow the Supreme Will

  1. 1

    The verse describes nine kinds of creation besides the one naturally arising from the interactions of the modes.

  2. 2

    Scheduled creations and annihilations take place according to the supreme will. Other creations arise through interactions of material elements directed by Brahmā’s intelligence.

  3. 3

    The three kinds of annihilation occur through the scheduled destruction of the universe, fire from the mouth of Ananta, and one’s qualitative actions and reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • The scheduled creations and annihilations take place in terms of the supreme will.
  • There are other creations due to interactions of material elements which take place by the intelligence of Brahmā.
  • The three kinds of annihilations are (1) due to the scheduled time of the annihilation of the entire universe, (2) due to a fire which emanates from the mouth of Ananta, and (3) due to one’s qualitative actions and reactions.

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

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: Divisions of the Creation

Maitreya explains the divisions of creation and Brahmā’s preparation of planetary homes for living entities.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sargaḥcreation
  2. nava-vidhaḥof nine different kinds
  3. tasyaits
  4. prākṛtaḥmaterial
  5. vaikṛtaḥby the modes of material nature
  6. tubut
  7. yaḥthat which
  8. kālaeternal time
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.10

    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

How does knowing that creation follows the supreme will affect my understanding of control?

Practice

List the three kinds of annihilation described here, then briefly reflect on the supreme will behind the scheduled changes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation and Annihilation Follow the Supreme WillThis 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 3.10.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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