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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
3.10.153.10.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.16

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

भूतसर्गस्तृतीयस्तु तन्मात्रो द्रव्यशक्तिमान् ।

चतुर्थ ऐन्द्रिय: सर्गो यस्तु ज्ञानक्रियात्मक: ॥ १६ ॥

bhūta-sargas tṛtīyas tu

tan-mātro dravya-śaktimān

caturtha aindriyaḥ sargo

yas tu jñāna-kriyātmakaḥ

Translation

The sense perceptions are created in the third creation, and from these the elements are generated. The fourth creation is the creation of knowledge and of working capacity.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sense Perceptions Precede the Elements

  1. 1

    Sense perceptions are created in the third creation.

  2. 2

    The material elements are generated from these sense perceptions.

  3. 3

    The fourth creation brings forth knowledge and working capacity.

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. bhūta-sargaḥcreation of matter
  2. tṛtīyaḥis the third
  3. tubut
  4. tat-mātraḥsense perception
  5. dravyaof the elements
  6. śaktimāngenerator
  7. caturthaḥthe fourth
  8. aindriyaḥin the matter of the senses
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.10

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • 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

What distinction does this verse make between sense perceptions and the capacity to know and work?

Practice

Write two short lines naming what appears in the third creation and what appears in the fourth.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Perceptions Precede the ElementsThis 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 3.10.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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