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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
3.12.163.12.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.17

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.12.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अलं प्रजाभि: सृष्टाभिरीद‍ृशीभि: सुरोत्तम ।

मया सह दहन्तीभिर्दिशश्चक्षुर्भिरुल्बणै: ॥ १७ ॥

alaṁ prajābhiḥ sṛṣṭābhir

īdṛśībhiḥ surottama

mayā saha dahantībhir

diśaś cakṣurbhir ulbaṇaiḥ

Translation

Brahmā told Rudra: O best among the demigods, there is no need for you to generate living entities of this nature. They have begun to devastate everything on all sides with the fiery flames from their eyes, and they have even attacked me.

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.

Stop What Is Causing Destruction

  1. 1

    Brahmā addresses Rudra respectfully as the best among the demigods.

  2. 2

    He tells Rudra that there is no need to generate more living entities of this nature.

  3. 3

    These beings are devastating everything with fiery flames from their eyes. They have even attacked Brahmā.

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. alamunnecessary
  2. prajābhiḥby such living entities
  3. sṛṣṭābhiḥgenerated
  4. īdṛśībhiḥof this type
  5. sura-uttamaO best among the demigods
  6. mayāme
  7. sahaalong with
  8. dahantībhiḥwho are burning
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

Am I willing to stop an activity when its harmful effects become clear?

Practice

Pause one action or conversation today if you notice it is causing harm.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStop What Is Causing DestructionThis 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 3.12.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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