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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
3.10.173.10.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.18

Visarga· Brahmā's 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

षडिमे प्राकृता: सर्गा वैकृतानपि मे श‍ृणु ।

रजोभाजो भगवतो लीलेयं हरिमेधस: ॥ १८ ॥

ṣaḍ ime prākṛtāḥ sargā

vaikṛtān api me śṛṇu

rajo-bhājo bhagavato

līleyaṁ hari-medhasaḥ

Translation

All the above are natural creations by the external energy of the Lord. Now hear from me about the creations by Brahmā, who is an incarnation of the mode of passion and who, in the matter of creation, has a brain like that of the Personality of Godhead.

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.

Brahmā’s Creation Follows the Lord’s Natural Creations

  1. 1

    The creations described so far are natural creations produced by the Lord’s external energy.

  2. 2

    The teaching now turns to the creations carried out by Brahmā.

  3. 3

    Brahmā is an incarnation of the mode of passion. In the matter of creation, he has a brain like that of the Personality of Godhead.

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. ṣaṭsix
  2. imeall these
  3. prākṛtāḥof the material energy
  4. sargāḥcreations
  5. vaikṛtānsecondary creations by Brahmā
  6. apialso
  7. mefrom me
  8. śṛṇujust hear
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

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 this verse distinguish the Lord’s natural creations from Brahmā’s creative work?

Practice

Make two headings in your notes: “Natural creations by the Lord’s external energy” and “Creations by Brahmā.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā’s Creation Follows the Lord’s Natural CreationsThis 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 3.10.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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