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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 10: Divisions of the Creation
3.10.73.10.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.10.8

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

पद्मकोशं तदाविश्य भगवत्कर्मचोदित: ।

एकं व्यभाङ्‌क्षीदुरुधा त्रिधा भाव्यं द्विसप्तधा ॥ ८ ॥

padma-kośaṁ tadāviśya

bhagavat-karma-coditaḥ

ekaṁ vyabhāṅkṣīd urudhā

tridhā bhāvyaṁ dvi-saptadhā

Translation

Thus engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Brahmā entered into the whorl of the lotus, and as it spread all over the universe he divided it into three divisions of worlds and later into fourteen divisions.

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 Organizes the Worlds in Service

  1. 1

    Brahmā carries out his work in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    He enters the whorl of the lotus, which spreads throughout the universe.

  3. 3

    He divides it first into three divisions of worlds and later into fourteen divisions.

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. padma-kośamthe whorl of the lotus
  2. tadāthen
  3. āviśyaentering into
  4. bhagavatby the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. karmain activities
  6. coditaḥbeing encouraged by
  7. ekamone
  8. vyabhāṅkṣītdivided into
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 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

What stands out to you about Brahmā performing his work as service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Choose one small task today and consciously undertake it in a spirit of service to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Organizes the Worlds in 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 3.10.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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