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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 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others
3.12.143.12.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.15

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.12.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

इत्यादिष्ट: स्वगुरुणा भगवान्नीललोहित: ।

सत्त्वाकृतिस्वभावेन ससर्जात्मसमा: प्रजा: ॥ १५ ॥

ity ādiṣṭaḥ sva-guruṇā

bhagavān nīla-lohitaḥ

sattvākṛti-svabhāvena

sasarjātma-samāḥ prajāḥ

Translation

The most powerful Rudra, whose bodily color was blue mixed with red, created many offspring exactly resembling him in features, strength and furious nature.

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.

Rudra’s Offspring Resemble Him

  1. 1

    Rudra is described as most powerful, with a bodily color of blue mixed with red.

  2. 2

    He created many offspring whose bodily features exactly resembled his own.

  3. 3

    His offspring also resembled him in strength and furious nature.

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 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others

Brahmā’s creation continues with sages, Rudra, sacrificial practices, religious principles, and further forms of life.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. ādiṣṭaḥbeing ordered
  3. sva-guruṇāby his own spiritual master
  4. bhagavānthe most powerful
  5. nīla-lohitaḥRudra, whose color is mixed blue and red
  6. sattvapower
  7. ākṛtibodily features
  8. svabhāvenaand with a very furious mode of nature
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

Which qualities did Rudra’s offspring share with him?

Practice

List the three ways Rudra’s offspring resembled him, using the translation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRudra’s Offspring Resemble HimThis 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 3.12.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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