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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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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
3.10.53.10.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.6

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

तपसा ह्येधमानेन विद्यया चात्मसंस्थया ।

विवृद्धविज्ञानबलो न्यपाद् वायुं सहाम्भसा ॥ ६ ॥

tapasā hy edhamānena

vidyayā cātma-saṁsthayā

vivṛddha-vijñāna-balo

nyapād vāyuṁ sahāmbhasā

Translation

Long penance and transcendental knowledge of self-realization had matured Brahmā in practical knowledge, and thus he drank the wind completely, along with the water.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Meet Material Struggles Through Surrender and Service

  1. 1

    Long penance and transcendental self-realization mature Brahmā’s practical knowledge. He then drinks the wind completely, along with the water.

  2. 2

    Brahmā’s struggle illustrates the continuing struggle between living entities and māyā. Scientific knowledge and transcendental realization can help one try to control material energy.

  3. 3

    Such control is most successful when one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should carry out His order in a spirit of loving transcendental service.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā’s struggle for existence is a personal example of the continued fight between the living entities in the material world and the illusory energy called māyā.
  • Beginning from Brahmā down to this age, the living entities are struggling with the forces of material nature.
  • By advanced knowledge in science and transcendental realization, one can try to control the material energy, which works against our endeavors, and in the modern age advanced material scientific knowledge and penance have played very wonderful roles in controlling the powers of the material energy.

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. tapasāby penance
  2. hicertainly
  3. edhamānenaincreasing
  4. vidyayāby transcendental knowledge
  5. caalso
  6. ātmaself
  7. saṁsthayāsituated in the self
  8. vivṛddhamatured
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

  • 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: “māyā”, “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.10

    In this verse: “surrenders”

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 could you approach a present difficulty in a spirit of loving service rather than control alone?

Practice

Before tackling one difficult task today, pause to cultivate a willingness to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeet Material Struggles Through Surrender and ServiceThis 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 3.10.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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