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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
3.12.173.12.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.18

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

तप आतिष्ठ भद्रं ते सर्वभूतसुखावहम् ।

तपसैव यथापूर्व स्रष्टा विश्वमिदं भवान् ॥ १८ ॥

tapa ātiṣṭha bhadraṁ te

sarva-bhūta-sukhāvaham

tapasaiva yathā pūrvaṁ

sraṣṭā viśvam idaṁ bhavān

Translation

My dear son, you had better situate yourself in penance, which is auspicious for all living entities and which will bring all benediction upon you. By penance only shall you be able to create the universe as it was before.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Penance and the Proper Time for Service

  1. 1

    Brahmā advises Rudra to undertake penance, which is auspicious for all living entities and brings benediction. The translation connects this penance with creating the universe as before.

  2. 2

    Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, or Śiva, are respectively in charge of creation, maintenance and dissolution.

  3. 3

    Rudra is told not to destroy during the period of creation and maintenance. He should remain in penance until the time of dissolution, when his services will be needed.

Key points from the purport
  • In the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation, the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, or Śiva, are respectively in charge.
  • Rudra was advised not to destroy while the period of creation and maintenance was going on, but to situate himself in penance and wait for the time of dissolution, when his services would be called for.

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 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tapaḥpenance
  2. ātiṣṭhabe situated
  3. bhadramauspicious
  4. teunto you
  5. sarvaall
  6. bhūtaliving entities
  7. sukha-āvahambringing happiness
  8. tapasāby penance
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

Can I patiently wait when a service is not yet needed?

Practice

Before acting on one strong impulse today, consider whether this is the proper time and whether it will benefit others.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPenance and the Proper Time for 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.

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