1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.10.43.10.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.10.4inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तद्विलोक्याब्जसम्भूतो वायुना यदधिष्ठित: ।

पद्ममम्भश्च तत्कालकृतवीर्येण कम्पितम् ॥ ५ ॥

tad vilokyābja-sambhūto

vāyunā yad-adhiṣṭhitaḥ

padmam ambhaś ca tat-kāla-

kṛta-vīryeṇa kampitam

Translation

Thereafter Brahmā saw that both the lotus on which he was situated and the water on which the lotus was growing were trembling due to a strong, violent wind.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Mercy Sustains Devotees Amid Disturbance

  1. 1

    A violent wind makes Brahmā’s lotus and the surrounding water tremble. Even someone engaged in devotional service may face disturbing circumstances.

  2. 2

    The material world is called illusory because it is a place of forgetfulness of the Lord’s transcendental service. Weak devotees may fall victim to the powerful illusory energy.

  3. 3

    By the Lord’s causeless mercy, Brahmā is strong enough not to be overcome by material energy. Still, the disturbance gives him cause for anxiety.

Key points from the purport
  • The material world is called illusory because it is a place of forgetfulness of the transcendental service of the Lord.
  • Thus one engaged in the Lord’s devotional service in the material world may sometimes be very much disturbed by awkward circumstances.
  • Lord Brahmā, however, was sufficiently strong, by the causeless mercy of the Lord, and he could not be victimized by the material energy, although it gave him cause for anxiety when it managed to totter the existence of his position.

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. tat vilokyalooking into that
  2. abja-sambhūtaḥwhose source of birth was a lotus
  3. vāyunāby the air
  4. yatthat
  5. adhiṣṭhitaḥon which he was situated
  6. padmamlotus
  7. ambhaḥwater
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.10

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.10

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • 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

When circumstances make you anxious, do they also make you forget the Lord’s service?

Practice

When one disturbance arises today, pause and ask for the Lord’s mercy before returning to your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Sustains Devotees Amid DisturbanceThis 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 3.10.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories