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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
3.10.273.10.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.10.28-29

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

देवसर्गश्चाष्टविधो विबुधा: पितरोऽसुरा: ।

गन्धर्वाप्सरस: सिद्धा यक्षरक्षांसि चारणा: ॥ २८ ॥

भूतप्रेतपिशाचाश्च विद्याध्रा: किन्नरादय: ।

दशैते विदुराख्याता: सर्गास्ते विश्वसृक्‍कृता: ॥ २९ ॥

deva-sargaś cāṣṭa-vidho

vibudhāḥ pitaro ’surāḥ

gandharvāpsarasaḥ siddhā

yakṣa-rakṣāṁsi cāraṇāḥ

bhūta-preta-piśācāś ca

vidyādhrāḥ kinnarādayaḥ

daśaite vidurākhyātāḥ

sargās te viśva-sṛk-kṛtāḥ

Translation

The creation of the demigods is of eight varieties: (1) the demigods, (2) the forefathers, (3) the asuras, or demons, (4) the Gandharvas and Apsarās, or angels, (5) the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas, (6) the Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Vidyādharas, (7) the Bhūtas, Pretas and Piśācas, and (8) the superhuman beings, celestial singers, etc. All are created by Brahmā, the creator of the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Eight Varieties of Demigod Creation

  1. 1

    The eight varieties include demigods; forefathers; asuras; Gandharvas and Apsarās; Yakṣas and Rākṣasas; Siddhas, Cāraṇas and Vidyādharas; Bhūtas, Pretas and Piśācas; and superhuman beings and celestial singers. All are created by Brahmā, the creator of the universe.

  2. 2

    The Siddhas inhabit Siddhaloka and can travel between planets at will without vehicles. The purport describes the inhabitants of the upper planets as superior to humans in art, culture and science.

  3. 3

    The spirits and jinn mentioned here are also counted among the demigods. They can perform uncommon functions that human beings cannot.

Key points from the purport
  • As explained in the Second Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the Siddhas are inhabitants of Siddhaloka, where the residents travel in space without vehicles.
  • Therefore, in the upper planets the inhabitants are far superior to the inhabitants of this planet in all matters of art, culture and science, since they possess brains superior to those of human beings.
  • The spirits and jinn mentioned in this connection are also counted among the demigods because they are able to perform uncommon functions not possible for men.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. deva-sargaḥcreation of the demigods
  2. caalso
  3. aṣṭa-vidhaḥeight kinds
  4. vibudhāḥthe demigods
  5. pitaraḥthe forefathers
  6. asurāḥthe demons
  7. gandharvathe expert artisans in the higher planets
  8. apsarasaḥthe angels
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 description challenge me to recognize the limits of human abilities?

Practice

Note one ability attributed to the Siddhas and how it differs from human abilities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEight Varieties of Demigod CreationThis 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 3.10.28-29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.